Encounter Atlas
The drop bear is a hoax. Australians describe it to visitors as a large, vicious relative of the koala that waits in gum trees and drops onto the heads of people walking below. Tourists are told to protect themselves with forks in their hair, Vegemite behind the ears, or by speaking with an Australian accent.
Its origin is unknown, but an Australian Army newspaper mentioned 'a dreaded Drop Bear' in 1967, and it turns up in later service papers and newspaper jokes. The Australian Museum has run a straight-faced spoof entry giving it the scientific name Thylarctos plummetus, and Australian Geographic once published an April Fool's piece on it.
It is the Australian cousin of the American jackalope and fearsome critters. Fans like to point out that a real predatory marsupial, the 'marsupial lion' Thylacoleo, did live in Australia until the late Pleistocene.
What witnesses report
- A koala-like animal staring down from a gum tree
- Something heavy dropping onto your head
- Locals warning you with a straight face
Famous cases
Seen the Drop bear?
Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can stay anonymous.
