Why do black bears like to hide in trash cans?

Saturday, May 6, 2023 14:00 (GMT+7)
14:00 5/6/2023

A black bear suddenly climbed out of a trash can outside a school, scaring the principal of an elementary school in West Virginia (USA).

Food waste bins are ideal places for black bears. Photo: BBC.

The incident occurred on May 1 and was recorded by the school's surveillance camera. Accordingly, at around 7:15 a.m., when Mr. James Marsh (Principal of Zela Elementary School, West Virginia, USA) went to take out the trash, a black bear suddenly appeared from inside the trash can, roared loudly and climbed out.

Mr. Marsh was terrified and ran away. Shortly after, the bear also left without causing any danger to humans.

Principal James Marsh panicked and ran away.

Wildlife experts told the BBC that the incident was not an isolated one. On the contrary, bears hiding in trash cans are very common.

North America is home to more than 700,000 black bears. They are found in many US states and Canadian provinces. They are rarely aggressive, but they are more likely to come into contact with humans than other North American bears such as grizzlies and polar bears.

Professor David Drake, a wildlife expert at the University of Wisconsin (USA), said that people may encounter black bears more in some places such as West Virginia, New Jersey and Tennessee - where black bear populations live in large numbers.

Explaining why black bears like to rummage through trash cans, Ms. Kim Titchener, founder of the organization Bear Safety and More (Alberta, Canada), said that trash cans, especially those containing leftover food, are ideal places for black bears.

"These animals would rather eat a human's leftover lunch than eat berries, so trash cans are attractive to them," said Ms Titchener.

Meanwhile, some experts advise people living in bear-infested areas to lock their refrigerators as the creatures even break into homes looking for food.

Additionally, areas with a high bear population should be equipped with secure, metal trash cans with locking lids. This not only protects people but also the bears themselves. Many bears have been killed in such encounters, Titchener said.

"Bears that are used to foraging near humans will continue to come into close contact with humans. Gradually, they will be exterminated or removed from their natural habitat," Ms. Titchener said.

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black bear bear rummaging through trash bear scare