St. Louis: Six-Foot Bear Caught Napping in Man’s Basement

St. Louis Bear Breaks Into Basement, Takes a NapSt. Louis Bear Breaks Into Basement, Takes a Nap In a bizarre incident, a six-foot black bear was discovered napping in a man’s basement in St. Louis, Missouri. The homeowner, identified only as Jack, was startled by a noise coming from his basement on Thursday afternoon. When he investigated, he found the large animal sprawled on his basement floor, fast asleep. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Jack told reporters. “I thought I was dreaming.” Jack called the authorities, and Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) officers were dispatched to the scene. The officers determined that the bear had entered the basement through a small opening in the foundation. The bear, estimated to be around 300 pounds, was still sleeping soundly when the officers arrived. They carefully approached the animal and used a Taser to subdue it. “It was a very dangerous situation,” said MDC Officer James Brown. “Bears are unpredictable animals, and this one could have easily been startled and attacked.” The bear was taken to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center, where it will be assessed and monitored before being released back into the wild. MDC officials said that it is rare for bears to enter populated areas, but it can happen when food sources are scarce in the wild. They urged residents to keep their garbage secure and report any bear sightings to the authorities. The incident has left Jack shaken but grateful that he and the bear were not harmed. “I’m just glad it turned out the way it did,” he said. “I’ll be sure to check under my bed for bears before I go to sleep from now on.”