Run! Principal finds a bear-y scary surprise in West Virginia school dumpster
This elementary school principal got his cardio workout in Monday morning when a bear popped out of a large dumpster.
Watch: Principal runs from bear in school dumpster
An elementary school principal had a morning surprise when he unlocked the bear bar from a dumpster -- meant to keep bears out. It obviously didn't work very well. Both he and the bear ran from the dumpster.
SUMMERSVILLE, W. Va. – One elementary school principal took an unplanned morning run on Monday when a bear popped out of the school's dumpster in West Virginia.
What made the encounter even more shocking was that the man was unlocking a bear bar on the dumpster that was supposed to keep the bears out.
The security measure obviously didn't work.
'They've just come out of hibernation, and they're really hungry': Principal finds bear in dumpster
A West Virginia school principal encountered a bear in the school's dumpster on Monday. Wildlife Expert and Host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Peter Gros tells FOX Weather why bears make appearances in populated areas and explains the importance of locking containers with food.
Security cameras caught the blur that was the principal running away from the animal. The bear ran just as quickly in the other direction.
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An elementary school principal sprinted from a bear hiding in the school's trash bin. (Zela Elementary/Nicholas County Schools via Storyful / FOX Weather)
"I like wildlife and bears but prefer them more than an arm-length away," Principal James Marsh told Storyful. "Video surveillance later showed the bear squeezing in and out of the dumpster all weekend to dine. I guess it had a good meal and a nap, LOL!"
The school had been having issues with dumpster diving bears since they came out of hibernation, prompting the state's Division of Natural Resources to give Marsh the bear bar lock. It is back to the drawing board for a new bear solution as soon as Marsh catches his breath.
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The principal takes a moment to catch his breath after being shocked and sprinting from the peek-a-boo bear. (Zela Elementary/Nicholas County Schools via Storyful / FOX Weather)