Huge, gi-normus black bear.
To quote one newspaper: "...world's record Wisconsin black bear. A 665-pound monster still known as "Mr. Bear," he stood 7 feet 10 inches and required seven men to drag him from the woods outside of town..."
No point in letting such a fine specimen stay roaming around the woods, non-celebrity-like, when he can be put to good use doing publicity work for the town.