A Colorado man got the surprise of a lifetime when he walked up to his truck and discovered a black bear relaxing in the passenger seat.
The bizarre encounter happened on June 23 in Steamboat Springs, where resident Justin Pickar suddenly found himself face-to-face with the unexpected visitor.
Home video footage showed Pickar visibly startled by the sight of the bear inside his vehicle. The animal, however, appeared far less concerned.
The curious bear seemed much more interested in whatever food or scent had drawn it into the truck.
Pickar spent several minutes trying to convince the bear to leave, but the animal remained remarkably calm and unbothered.
Eventually, after Pickar changed his approach, the bear climbed out and moved away from the vehicle.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
The video quickly caught attention online, where viewers joked about the unusual passenger.
“He just wanted to talk to you about your car’s extended warranty,” one commenter wrote.
Although the bear looked relaxed, it was likely searching for food, shelter or both when it found the truck.
If the cab had been left unlocked, getting inside would have been easy.
The bear also appeared to be relatively young. Many juvenile black bears leave their mothers during the summer after their first year, and the animal may have been a yearling exploring on its own.
Its smaller size became especially clear near the end of the video, when it ran around the side of the truck.
Black bears are the only wild bear species found in Colorado. Despite their name, they are not always black.
Their coats can range from reddish-brown and honey-colored to blond, brown or black. The bear in Pickar’s truck appeared to have a reddish-brown tint to its fur.
Black bears occasionally wander into neighborhoods and other areas occupied by people, especially when food is nearby.
Although they are powerful wild animals, they usually avoid humans and rarely attack unless they feel threatened or provoked.
Talking loudly or making noise can sometimes encourage a bear to leave. However, the smell of food can make the animal more willing to stick around.
In this case, both Pickar and the bear appeared to want the same thing: a peaceful ending with no damage and no confrontation.
Fortunately, the unexpected visitor eventually left, giving Pickar a wild story he will probably never forget.