Bears in Cars and Stores | Wilmington News

Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 24, 2026 · 1m

A couple’s anniversary trip in Gatlinburg turned wild when a full-sized black bear strolled into their store, pawed at tea, and climbed onto the counter—just feet away. Meanwhile, another group found a bear locked inside their SUV, smashed the back window to free it, and fled as the animal escaped. These incidents highlight how bears often get trapped in vehicles while searching for food—and sometimes can’t get out, leading to tragic outcomes like a Colorado bear that died after being stuck for days. Wildlife experts urge travelers to lock cars, remove all scented items, and never leave keys…