A Ucluelet black bear became trapped inside a vehicle on Friday morning and obliterated the interior before being freed.

Local senior Katharine Fleming told the Westerly B次元官网网址 she had gone outside to get her dogsB次元官网网址� leashes and come back into her home when she heard a car horn honking in her driveway. She said her friend suspected someone was trying to break into her vehicle, but when she looked, she realized something much stranger was happening.

B次元官网网址淭he car started rocking, I mean really rocking, and I said, B次元官网网址楾hatB次元官网网址檚 not a human in there, a human canB次元官网网址檛 do thatB次元官网网址� and we realized it was a bear,B次元官网网址� Fleming said. B次元官网网址淚t was absolutely terrifying and I knew he was desperate to get out.B次元官网网址�

She added that the carB次元官网网址檚 doors were closed but unlocked and itB次元官网网址檚 unclear how the bear got in as there was no damage to the exterior, but the door had closed behind it, trapping it inside.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 smart. He has figured out how to get in, how to open the door,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he door was closed and he managed to retract the latch and pull the door open and, when you see the door, thereB次元官网网址檚 no marks.B次元官网网址�

Sgt. Kevin Smith of the Ucluelet RCMP confirmed that a police officer responded to the scene and managed to get the bear out.

B次元官网网址淗e looped a rope around the door handle so that he could stand a safe distance away while pulling the rope to open the door,B次元官网网址� Smith told the Westerly. B次元官网网址淭he bear exited the van and went on its way.B次元官网网址�

Fleming suggested the bear scampered off in a hurry.

B次元官网网址淗e took off,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e didnB次元官网网址檛 want to be here any more than we wanted him to be here.B次元官网网址�

She added that there B次元官网网址渨asnB次元官网网址檛 a single solitary speck of food in our vanB次元官网网址� and suspects the bear had likely found food in other vehicles and started thinking of them as food sources.

The situation is now being investigated by the BC Conservation Officer Service and Fleming fears the bear will likely be killed after showing such heavy signs of habituation.

She hopes the incident serves as a strong reminder to both residents and visitors that they must always keep their attractions secured and never feed wildlife.

B次元官网网址淭he thing that is the most important about all of this is that people, tourists and locals, have to be bear aware,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f weB次元官网网址檙e going to live on the West Coast or visit the West Coast, we have to be aware that this is called the Wild West Coast for a reason. Animals have their rights here and we need to stop encroaching on them or encouraging them just to get that great picture or that great video because weB次元官网网址檙e killing off the very thing that people want to see when they come here.B次元官网网址�

She added that along with raising her anxiety, the incident has also brought a financial hit as the vehicle was not insured due to confusion with her insurance provider.

B次元官网网址淩eally, itB次元官网网址檚 a comedy of errors and weB次元官网网址檙e left with a car that is dismantled inside and no insurance,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 screwed financially, but more important than that, a bear is going to lose his life.B次元官网网址�

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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