A Florida bear apparently had a serious case of the munchies—and a thirst to match.
Over the weekend, a black bear slipped into a Naples homeowner’s backyard, raided the garbage and helped itself to an alcoholic beverage.
According to WSVN, the bear entered through an open gate before wandering onto resident Celine Emerson’s back patio as though it owned the place.
Emerson said she first realized something was wrong when she noticed that her outdoor refrigerator had been left open. She immediately asked her husband to review the security-camera footage.
That was when Emerson spotted the unexpected visitor, which she estimated appeared to stand nearly 6 feet tall when upright.
“It was just crazy,” Emerson told the local station, describing how unusual it felt to see a bear so close to her home.
She said the sight was unnerving, especially when the animal rose onto its hind legs and appeared to tower over the patio.
CONTINUE READING: Killer Beauty Queen Pregnant, New Life With Lover Revealed
Before visiting the outdoor fridge, the bear reportedly spent time eating garbage from the front yard. It then took an alcoholic drink from the refrigerator.
Emerson joked that after watching the bear feast on trash for about 30 minutes, she assumed it had worked up a thirst.
The unusual wildlife encounter left behind a final reminder: the following morning, Emerson discovered a large bear paw print on her kitchen counter.
The break-in prompted Emerson to reconsider leaving the property’s gate open and to take additional precautions around the home.
She acknowledged that the gate is often left open when the family comes and goes, particularly at night.
With her granddaughter growing older, Emerson said the family plans to be more careful about securing the property and preventing similar encounters.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says bears generally eat more in the fall as they build fat reserves for winter hibernation. That seasonal feeding can increase the chances of bears coming into contact with people.
Florida is home to black bears in several regions across the state, with the population estimated at roughly 4,000 animals.
