California’s Emerald Bay State Park is a fantastic venue for hikers and RV vacationers alike. While the park loves the footfall, there is someone else who loves the humans, too. Bears, especially the Yogi kind, know how with humans come all types of goodies, so easy to steal. In one such moment of thievery, a family witnessed an extraordinary scene of a bear not stealing food but making off with the entire cooler in its mouth.
The Perfect Day for a Hike
When preparing for an outdoor adventure, bringing essentials like water, food, sunscreen, and possibly a bear deterrent is crucial. A family visiting California’s Emerald Bay State Park captured a fascinating moment which they shared on their Instagram, @keepitrealwiththeruiz. It was a bear doing the unthinkable.
A Bear Was Prowling Around.
Bears possess a powerful sense of smell, and this guy was ambitious, too. The bear was prowling around the parking lot, and its nose seemed to have got a whiff of something delicious.
He Knew Food Was Nearby.
As facts say, a bear’s sense of smell is seven times stronger than a bloodhound, and this bear burglar was proving that right. It knew food; a lot of it was nearby; it was literally a “fie fi fo fum” moment.
He Began Checking Out the Cars.
The bear then began hopping onto the cars finally locating what piqued his interest. It was a truck with an open back, and inside was a treasure of the bear kind.
The Family Kept a Safe Distance
The family maintained a safe distance while filming. As much as it was amusing, it was dangerous too. Bears, like all other animals, don’t like anything coming between them and food. Moreover, if threatened, they will not hesitate to attack.
He Found the Cooler Full of Food.
Soon after rummaging in the truck, the bear located the cooler full of food. Instead of opening or spilling its contents, he grabbed the entire cooler in its mouth.
A Smart Burglar
Without a moment’s hesitation, the bear held the cooler tight in its mouth and made off with it. Now, that’s an intelligent four-legged burglar if I ever saw one.
A Considerate Bear
What was lucky is that the bear did not resort to vandalism. He only took what he wanted and spared thrashing the truck. Usually Bears will stop at nothing to get to food, and have in the past damaged cars and property. This bear, however, was considerate enough not to do so. Moreover, bears are so used to seeing humans in national parks they’ve learned how to enter vehicles and even open doors.
Wildlife Experts Weigh In
Wildlife experts were soon involved, providing insights into the bear’s behavior. They explained that bears are highly food-motivated and have an excellent sense of smell, which often leads them to human habitats in search of easy meals.
Safety Precautions
According to the Website of California State Park, tourists should secure their food and trash to avoid attracting bears. The park provides food lockers for this purpose, and residents are encouraged to use them.
Laws Should Be Followed.
Authorities also emphasize the importance of coexisting with wildlife safely and responsibly. The laws are strict because black bears are currently very active in Emerald Bay. No ice chests should be stored in vehicles, failing which could invite a citation.
Not The first time
This was not the first time it happened. A similar incident occurred in June 2024 when a bear made off with a cooler belonging to construction workers remodeling balconies in the Tahoe City area. It was Barry Meidinger who recorded the scene unfolding outside his Tahoe City cabin.
A Quick Getaway
After securing the cooler, the bear made a swift exit, disappearing into the nearby woods. The employees were left with a mix of awe and amusement, recounting the unexpected encounter with a sense of disbelief.
Bear Burglary
The incident occurred just a few days after a black bear in Sierra Madre, California, was held responsible for five break-ins within two hours. Laurie Devault of Sierra Madre said one bear broke into her neighbor’s house, damaging the screen door. However, the bear turned out to be a polite burglar, opening a freezer and taking only a packaged chicken. Check out the video below of another bear stealing chicken.
Watch The Video of a Bear Burglary
What To Do If a Bear Enters Your Home
If a bear enters your home, open doors, and windows to ensure it can exit the same way it entered. Avoid approaching the bear or blocking its escape routes. Never approach a bear. If the bear refuses to leave, contact your local CPW office for assistance. Now once again, watch the video of the bear stealing the cooler from the link below and tell us what you think.
Watch The Video of Bear Stealing Cooler Here
Next on Animals Around the Globe
Speaking about bears, if you liked this story, you might want to read this very inspirational incident of a baby bear struggling up a mountain slope to reunite with his mama.
Read: Is This Viral Footage of a Bear Cub Climbing a Steep Snowy Slope Inspirational or Harassment?
