Always remember to lock your car doors, whether you’re parked indoors or outdoors. This advice holds particular significance if you find yourself at Lake Tahoe in California, as demonstrated by a recent video capturing bears skillfully opening car doors.
A home security system recorded two bears as they explored a truck and an SUV in a Lake Tahoe driveway on the evening of April 13. The footage clearly shows a blue Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the interior of a Ram 1500 is revealed when one bear opens its back door. While we can’t see what attracted the bears to the pickup, the video shows one bear in the truck bed suddenly paying attention when the other bear, inside the cab, growls and pokes its head out.
Watch it here:
This interaction escalates into a scuffle on the Ram’s quarter panel, likely leaving dents and claw scratches. The video captures one bear leaving while the other continues to search the bed before also jumping out a few minutes later. However, the story doesn’t stop there.
The footage then skips forward about 15 minutes to show a bear climbing out of the Ram’s cab again. As the outdoor light turns on, it reveals that the truck’s driver-side front door is now open. The extent of the damage inside remains unknown, but the bear moves on without finding anything worthwhile and heads towards the Jeep, which had its rear door open throughout the episode. The bear then opens the Jeep’s front passenger door and climbs in. The video ends abruptly with the bear inside the SUV.
Bears are known to open car doors, and if people continue to leave their vehicles unlocked in bear-prone areas, such incidents are likely to repeat. The best-case scenario might leave you with just scratches and scuffs; the worst-case scenario could involve waking up to find a bear trapped inside your vehicle.
To avoid such unwelcome surprises and potential hazards to both you and the bears, make it a habit to lock your doors at night. This simple act can prevent a potentially dangerous encounter with a hungry bear looking for an easy snack.
