Run, Dino, Run!

A large bear is causing a stir in Italy. Having woken from winter’s hibernation and wandered into the cattle-farming region between the northeastern cities of Belluno and Vicenza, the 385-pound creature, nicknamed “Dino” by the local press, is very hungry. And has been treating the local livestock like the never-ending-pasta-bowl deal at Olive Garden that makes Americans so obese. (He has even eaten horses, like people do in France.) Local farmers want him to feel a little less like family when he’s there. In fact, they want him shot dead. But, as Der Spiegel reports from neighboring Germany, the Italian Internet is mounting a rescue effort.

“More than 10,000 people have signed up as members of the ‘Dino the bear must live!’ fan page on the social networking site Facebook. The site is littered with upbeat messages like: ‘The forest is his home; keep your hands off Dino!’ and ‘Long live Dino!’”

So maybe Dino will end up hosting “Saturday Night Live.” Unfortunately, another fan page called “Let’s slaughter Dino the bear” has also sprung up. And while it only has 46 members, it stands as a grim reminder of a more likely fate, one that that, just four years ago, befell another popular European bear: Bruno, who is now stuffed and on display in Munich’s Museum of Man and Nature.