Bear Locks Itself in Tennessee Hotel Bathroom

In a peculiar incident this week, a black bear found its way into a hotel bathroom in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Officers from the Gatlinburg Police Department were called to the Quality Inn & Suites early Friday morning after an employee discovered the bear had entered an exterior bathroom and locked itself inside.

Footage captured the moment officers cautiously opened the bathroom door. The bear, appearing confused, then casually strolled out. It made its way down the sidewalk as officers and bystanders moved out of its path. The animal seemed uninterested in the people present, focusing instead on its exit.

Fortunately, the situation was resolved without any injuries. The bear's brief indoor excursion resulted in minor property damage, primarily a shattered mirror estimated at $50. While black bears are common in the Gatlinburg area, this specific instance of a bear locking itself in a hotel bathroom was a first.