Germany ? Trackers briefly caught sight of a brown bear blamed for killing livestock in southern Germany and Austria, but the animal eluded capture Friday by slipping into the dark.

It is the first bear seen in Germany since 1835.

Authorities in the southern state of Bavaria, using a team of Finnish hunting dogs, have been trying for days to capture the bear alive, after a previous order to trap it and shoot it sparked an outcry from animal rights activists.

The 220-pound bear – affectionately known as Bruno – came from northern Italy, where it was part of a program to reintroduce the animals to the Italian Alps. The animal ambled into Germany last month.

Bruno has been blamed in the killing of livestock and has approached homes, raising fears it could pose a danger to people.

If captured, the bear is to be released in a nature reserve near Munich or returned to his home in northern Italy.