Residents of a Florida neighborhood were in for a wild surprise on Halloween night when a bear dressed in a spooky costume showed up at their doorstep.
Witnesses reported the bear was wearing a ghost costume, complete with a white sheet and holes cut out for eyes. But instead of saying “boo,” the furry trick-or-treater was reportedly grunting and sniffing for candy.
“We thought it was just another kid in a costume,” said Jim Robertson, a resident of the neighborhood. “But when we got a closer look, we realized it was a freaking bear!”
Despite initial shock and fear, the residents quickly embraced the bear’s playful spirit and began to offer up their sweet treats. And much to their surprise, the bear eagerly munched away at the candy bars, lollipops and gummies.
“It was a sight to see,” said Maria Hernandez, another resident. “I never thought I’d be feeding candy to a 300-pound bear on Halloween night.”
The bear reportedly spent about an hour or so wandering through the neighborhood, knocking on doors and accepting treats. But eventually, it grew tired of the festivities and decided to make a run for it before it got too late.
“There was no way we were going to try and stop it,” said Tom Cooper, who witnessed the bear’s escape. “I mean, we were definitely outnumbered.”
While the incident may have come as a surprise to the neighborhood, wildlife officials say it’s not uncommon for bears to become adventurous when looking for food.
“Bears are opportunistic animals, so it’s not surprising that this one found its way into a neighborhood when there are sugary treats on the line,” said Mary Smith, a wildlife biologist in the area.
Smith emphasized, however, that residents should keep their distance from bears and avoid feeding them, as it can habituate the animals to human food sources.
For now, residents of the Florida neighborhood are left with a bizarre memory of a Halloween night they’ll never forget.
“That was definitely the most interesting trick-or-treater we’ve ever had,” said Hernandez. “I just hope next year it’s something a bit more… human.”
