Baby bear that bit 14 college students won't be put to death.

Boo Boo, a 2-month old bear, was part of a traveling petting zoo that Washington University in St. Louis brought to campus as an end-of-the-semester diversion for students.

As diversions go, it succeeded--in the worst way possible.

During the meet-and-greet, Boo Boo played up his scamp qualities, which included play-biting 14 students hard enough that he drew blood. For Boo Boo, fingers and hands are like a pic-a-nic basket buffet.

Originally born in the wild, USDA officials that oversee and investigate petting zoos could have ordered the bear cub euthanized in order to test for rabies infection--and would have until their inquiry determined that Boo Boo was not dangerous, and only acting like a 2-month old. Washington University happily announced Boo Boo's reprieve from an impending execution on their website.

Boo Boo is now free to join Yogi in Jellystone and nibble on all the fingers he desires.



photo: Fox 2