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Reward offered for Mr. Bear

Mr. Bear has been kidnapped.Again.Northern Elegance’s stuffed, black mascot was stolen sometime Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Bear has been kidnapped.

Again.

Northern Elegance’s stuffed, black mascot was stolen sometime Saturday afternoon.

“He’s gone missing twice before,” said owner Shari Morash from Ontario on Tuesday.

“And he always comes back.”

One time, Mr. Bear was found in a bar, said Morash, who hopes he’ll return by Christmas.

The five-foot black bear has been lounging in front of Northern Elegance waving at passersby for 13 years.

So many people love him, she said.

“Even the RCMP has been in here asking about him.”

Mr. Bear is always well-dressed, with a classy costume for every occasion. And he was wearing a black- and gold-striped vest with a matching bow tie the day he was taken.

He even has a Canada Winter Games costume in the closet, in preparation for the big event.

“He has formal attire, is always dressed for the holidays and has lovely vests and ties,” said Morash, who originally got the bear in Ontario.

“We brought him up here as a symbol of the Yukon,” she said.

“And he’s been to so many events.”

Mr. Bear’s presence has been requested at numerous tourism events and city proceedings, said Morash.

He’s even visited the hospital.

“Sometimes little kids at the hospital, when they’re asked what they would like, just ask to see Mr. Bear,” she said.

The mascot is only in front of the store during business hours, and Morash is surprised nobody noticed him being carted off.

“We were very busy that day,” she added.

Someone must have carried him away and put him in the back of a car or truck, she said.

Mr. Bear has never been gone more than four days, but Wednesday marks the fifth day since his disappearance.

There are lots of people looking for him, said Morash.

“And we’re offering a reward for his return.”