Is is really all that surprising that a black bear in Alaska nicknamed “Chungus” was stowed away in a garbage truck?
There are three different species of bear that are found in the United States’ most northern state: Black bears, brown bears and polar bears. If we wanted to throw a fourth out there, we could… because this video below highlights the rare, elusive creature called the “Chungus Bear.”
All joking aside, this bear’s search for food led it into a very precarious situation. Waste collectors in Whittier, Alaska were going about their regular route, picking up trash and tossing it in the back of the truck when they realized that a black bear was pillaging through the garbage.
That’s normal behavior for a black bear. They tend to be very opportunistic, and would much rather stumble upon food than secure it or hunt it down themselves. This black bear – who I’ll refer to as “Chungus” from here on out, since that’s what the locals call him – was just looking for some food.
He ended up with a free ride.
And a ride that eventually ended when the waste collectors realized that he was back there. Video captured by a man named Jerry Herrod that you’ll see below shows the large back gate to the garbage truck lifting up and, seconds later, “Chungus” tumbling out and making a run for the safer confines of a nearby stream.
It’s quite the comical scene:
“A bear known by locals as ‘Chungus’ was released from the back of a garbage truck after a worker says he realized the animal was in the vehicle.”
Somewhat of a close call for “Chungus.” He’s lucky that the garbage men noticed something was off about the trash heap they were transporting.
And it wasn’t all bad for the black bear. I’d imagine he found a couple of good bites amongst the truck full of discards. Then, when it was time for him to head out, he did just that, and ran straight to an incredibly scenic stream just off to the side of where the waste collection truck was parked.
Social media users that came across the funny video were very amused by the black bear’s antics. They made some “must have been trying to travel for free observations,” and also voiced that they were grateful the black bear named “Chungus” escaped unharmed:
“I guess the bear thought it would be a good place to find food.”
“That big boy got himself in a bind on this one. Thankful he was released safely.”
“First thing he does is go to a stream to rinse off.”
“Now that bear has a story to tell.”
“Traveling for free… smart bear.”
“Bear was like, ‘I’m never doing that again.'”
Who are we kidding? A bear named Chungus could very well find itself back in a food-motivated pickle in the near future. Heck, there’s greater than zero odds that wasn’t Chungus’ first time being stuck in the back of a garbage truck.
