NAPLES, Fla. — Forget the picnic basket. One Florida bear had its sights set on happy hour after finding its way to a homeowner’s patio fridge near Naples.
The homeowner woke up to an unusual discovery: a bear had managed to open the outdoor refrigerator and help itself to an alcoholic beverage.
A security camera inside the home captured the unexpected encounter, offering a glimpse of the furry intruder’s late-night adventure.
While the scene may sound like something out of a comedy, wildlife officials say encounters like this are a reminder that bears are actively searching for food as they bulk up for winter.
Officials are urging residents to take precautions to keep bears from turning their homes into their next stop for a snack, or a drink.
That means securing garbage cans, keeping food and other attractants out of reach, and making sure doors are locked.
The bear’s refrigerator raid may be an amusing sight on camera, but wildlife experts warn that easy access to human food can encourage bears to return to residential neighborhoods.
So, if you live in bear country, remember: Lock up the trash, secure the doors and keep an eye on that patio fridge.
Because in Southwest Florida, you never know when a bear might decide it’s five o’clock somewhere.
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