At about 2 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, a black bear entered the Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson hospital’s emergency department near Anchorage, Alaska. The unexpected visitor made its way through the hallway and found a bucket of donated Halloween candy, which it promptly began to eat.
Witnesses and response
Sherri Warnke, who was leaving the hospital after visiting her mother, spotted the massive animal roughly 30 feet away in a dimly lit corridor. Because she did not have a hospital badge, the doors along the hallway remained locked to her, leaving her momentarily trapped with the bear.
Warnke backed away slowly, hoping the bear had not noticed her. The bear soon discovered the candy bucket and appeared more interested in chocolate than in any person.
An intercom announcement soon warned staff and patients that a bear was inside the building. Despite the warning, several doctors stepped out to take photographs of the unusual scene.
Safe exit and aftermath
Warnke eventually made it out of the hallway unharmed, and the bear left the facility through the same entrance it had used to get inside. No injuries were reported.
Hospital staff later showed Warnke a surveillance photo of the bear standing at the emergency department reception desk, joking that the animal seemed to be “checking in.”
Why the bear was out
With winter approaching, bears in Alaska are busy gaining weight before hibernation, often foraging for salmon, berries, or scavenging dumpsters. This particular bear, however, discovered the hospital’s candy stash and took advantage of the sweet treat.
While the incident was startling, it serves as a reminder of the wildlife that shares the region and the importance of securing food sources, especially during the holiday season.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
