Gatlinburg, Tenn. – Last week a group of tourists found themselves in an unusual rescue situation when a black bear somehow entered and became locked inside their sport‑utility vehicle. The incident, captured on video and shared online, shows the bear moving around the interior while the visitors try to free it.

How the bear got inside

Officials say the bear was likely attracted by food scent and slipped into the unlocked SUV. At some point the driver locked the doors, unintentionally trapping the animal along with the vehicle keys.

Attempted solutions

One of the visitors first tried to use a slim‑type tool to unlock a front door from the outside, but the effort failed. With time running short and the bear growing restless, the group moved to a more drastic plan.

Another tourist grabbed a large rock and smashed the rear window. The glass shattered, and the three people quickly fled the vehicle. Moments later the bear crawled through the broken window and disappeared into the surrounding woods.

Why this matters locally

Encounters between people and black bears are common in the Great Smoky Mountains region, especially during the warmer months. The national park is home to roughly 1,900 American black bears and welcomes about 12 million visitors each year. The National Park Service repeatedly reminds guests to lock their cars and avoid leaving food, garbage, or scented items inside.

Local wildlife officials stress that bears are adept at opening vehicle doors, but they can become trapped when a door closes behind them. In Colorado earlier this month, a black bear died after being stuck in an unlocked car for several days, and another bear spent hours inside a vehicle before firefighters rescued it.

Safety tips for visitors

Park rangers advise travelers to:

• Lock vehicle doors at all times.
• Never leave food, trash, or scented items inside the car.
• Check that keys are not left inside the vehicle before locking it.
• Report any wildlife that appears to be trapped to park authorities.

Following these simple steps can help prevent dangerous encounters and protect both wildlife and visitors.

Community response

Local residents expressed relief that the bear escaped unharmed. Many highlighted the importance of respecting wildlife and adhering to park guidelines. The incident serves as a reminder that even well‑intentioned tourists can unintentionally create hazardous situations for the region’s beloved bears.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.