Last week, an intrigued bear got stuck in a family’s automobile in Northern California. The incident is captured on camera and in pictures.
Amanda Wells recorded the bear in Forest Ranch, California, on May 1st, peeking around their porch before it got inside the Subaru. The bear was seen inside the automobile in the following film, along with flashing lights and a flurry of activity.
The bear finally got tired and hot, according to Wells. Wells’ husband was afraid the bear may perish in the car, so he shot out the driver’s window with a pellet pistol, letting the bear get out.
The car’s interior was captured on camera the following day, with the steering wheel torn to pieces and the majority of the interior panels ruined.
According to a little internet search, this is not the first time a bear has become stuck in a car and caused serious damage, and it most definitely won’t be the last.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) states that bears are driven by food and will explore and eat “whatever seems like food.” Every year, the CDFW receives thousands of complaints of black bear sightings, many of which result in property damage, as was the case with the Wells family vehicle.
Installing electric fencing and removing food attractants and food access are the greatest ways to prevent these conflicts if you live in a bear-populated area, according to CDFW.
In North Central California, CDFW started providing “unwelcome mats” to residents last year. These electric mats shock bears with electricity if they approach a house too closely.
