No snacks? Watch determined bear fail in attempt to open trash can
A bear was captured wrestling with a bear-proof trash can on a street in Alaska before eventually giving up.
Video footage shared by Sara Spicer shows the bear rolling around the trash can and making futile and frustrating attempts to pry open the animal-proof container, pushing it around the streets of Anchorage.
Spicer told Paste BN that she had the windows of her home open when she heard the trash can being dragged across the pavement "around midnight, which is a pretty common time for bear activity during the summer." The trash can in the video had been sitting empty for about a week, according to Spicer.
The resident told Storyful "the trash cans here are bear-proof so he proceeded to push the trash can around until he got tired and gave up."
Watch video of bear trying to open trash can
'A fed bear is a dead bear'
This was not the first time Spicer spotted a bear trying to get into trash cans.
"We actually saw it a few times last year too," Spicer said. "It tends to happen after they wake up from hibernation."
Fortunately for residents, wildlife officers at the base in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson "respond quickly when bears wander into neighborhoods," scaring them back into the forests, Spicer said.
"We have a deep respect for Alaska’s wildlife, and we live by the phrase: 'A fed bear is a dead bear'," Spicer said. "It’s so important to keep them wild and safe by not letting them associate humans with food."
Staying safe in bear country
Alaska is home to three types of bears - black, brown, and polar - according to Alaska Fish and Game with an estimated 100,000 black bears in the state. Here's what the department recommends if you encounter a bear:
- Alert authorities by calling 911 if the wild animal poses an immediate threat or use a wildlife encounter form to report non-threatening situations.
- Never approach or crowd bears; respect their “personal space.”
- Keep food, garbage and other attractants out of reach of bears. If a bear has been attracted to your home or camp by improperly stored food or garbage, it can NOT be legally killed.
- Make yourself appear as large as possible.
- If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.
- If you see cubs, be extra cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their young. Do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.