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Bear Cub Climbs Into SUV in Gatlinburg
3 Aug
Summary
- A curious bear cub was found atop an SUV in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
- The mother bear had entered the unlocked vehicle for a short period.
- The incident highlights the need to always lock car doors to prevent wildlife encounters.

A recent visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, turned into an unexpected wildlife encounter for Sarah Michelle's family. While exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, where black bear sightings are frequent, they mistakenly left their SUV unlocked. Later, a bear cub was discovered on the vehicle's windshield, unable to descend.
The mother bear had entered the SUV for only a few minutes. The family used the remote key fob to open the trunk, allowing her and the cub to exit safely. This incident underscores the importance of thoroughly checking that car doors are locked to avoid interactions with wildlife, even when no food is present inside the vehicle.
The event, captured on video, was confirmed as real and not AI-generated. It serves as a crucial reminder for tourists and residents alike to remain vigilant and take precautions when in bear habitats to ensure everyone's safety.