500-Pound Stuffed Bear Stolen From Canadian Resort

On a bitterly cold January night, opportunistic thieves took advantage of the freezing temperatures to pull off a heist that has left many scratching their heads. The theft of a 500-pound, 12-foot-tall stuffed polar bear from Canada's Lily Lake Resort has raised questions about how such a large item could simply vanish.

Cold Snap Creates Opportunity for Thieves

The crime occurred on Jan. 22, 2024, north of Edmonton when security patrols at the resort were canceled due to the extreme cold.

With temperatures plummeting to -30 C, the conditions were harsh enough to deter almost everyone — except for a group of determined thieves. These criminals took advantage of the situation, severing steel cables to drag the massive polar bear down a flight of stairs and out the front door of the resort.

A Missing Bear Goes Unnoticed

Despite the bear's impressive size and distinctive appearance, its absence went unnoticed for several days. Mounted on a platform on the second floor of the resort, the bear had become a fixture that guests had grown accustomed to seeing. Its removal required not only physical effort but also precise planning, suggesting the theft was premeditated.

Previous Thefts Raise Alarms

This was not the first time taxidermy animals have been stolen from Lily Lake Resort. Just last August, two stuffed raccoons were taken under similar circumstances. The combined value of the stolen taxidermy animals is estimated at $26,000, making them valuable targets for thieves. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have urged the public to report any suspicious sales of large stuffed animals, noting that such items are not easily concealed or sold.

Unsolved Heists and Unusual Targets

The theft of the polar bear is just the latest in a series of bizarre heists in Canada. In 2019, thieves made off with 30,000 liters of iceberg water in Newfoundland, and in 2014, millions of dollars' worth of maple syrup was stolen from Quebec's "global strategic reserve." These unusual thefts highlight a trend of targeting unique and valuable items that require significant effort and planning to steal.

The mystery of the stolen 500-pound polar bear at Lily Lake Resort remains unsolved, leaving both law enforcement and the public puzzled. As investigations continue, the hope is that the bear will be found and returned to its rightful place, ending one of the most peculiar heists in recent memory.

References: 500-Pound Stuffed Polar Bear Stolen | Fell off the back of an iceberg: stuffed 500lb polar bear stolen in Canada heist