Bear dies from heat after accidentally locking itself in car, Tennessee officials say
A bear scrounging for food got stuck in someone’s parked car and died when temperatures inside reached an estimated 140 degrees, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
It happened Wednesday, June 22, outside a rental cabin in Sevierville, a tourist destination 15 miles north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“The car’s owner left the cabin in a different vehicle around 10 am and found the bear dead inside upon returning at 6:45 pm.,” the agency said in a news release.
“It appears that the bear got inside the car by using its teeth or paws to open the unlocked door and was trapped inside after the door shut behind it. We believe that heat likely killed the bear as outside temperatures exceeded 95 degrees yesterday meaning the vehicle’s interior possibly reached over 140 degrees.”
Black bears have a sense of smell that can easily detect food in vehicles, experts say, and video evidence has shown they have learned how to open unlocked car doors with their claws.
It is not uncommon for them become trapped, but the resulting noise typically alerts owners /to the situation so the bears can be freed by authorities. The interior of vehicles typically suffer heavy damage in the process.
Investigators say an “empty soda can and food package” were found on the floorboard of the vehicle where the bear died. Empty food wrappers and air fresheners are just as apt to attract hungry bears, the agency said.
“Bears have noses 7 times better than a bloodhound and can smell even the faintest odor of food inside a vehicle,” Tennessee officials said.
“Lock your doors, roll up your windows, and never leave food or anything that smells like food inside!”
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