Late one night, Alex Carreles stopped at a gas station in California expecting nothing more than a quick refill before heading back on the road.
The scene felt completely ordinary, bright lights overhead, rows of pumps standing quietly, everything calm until something unusual drew his attention.
Near a trash can, a strange shape appeared at the edge, furry and slightly awkward as it poked up from the rim. It did not move like discarded garbage, and the sight left Alex with an uneasy feeling he could not ignore.
Curious and concerned, he walked closer, the sound of his steps echoing across the pavement as he leaned in to look. Whatever was inside clearly did not belong there, and in that instant, a routine stop turned into an unexpected rescue.
An Unexpected Visitor
When the man got closer, it began to dawn on him what he was seeing.
The furry hindquarters sticking out of the trash weren’t a raccoon or stray dog. It was a bear, likely rummaging for food and now trapped.
The man, named Alex Carreles, considered reaching in to touch the animal, but quickly realized that might be a dangerous choice.
He stayed back, filming the scene instead. Soon, the bear had wriggled fully into the can and peeked out with its head, clearly curious but still non-aggressive.
The gas station attendant mentioned that the bear had been visiting the lot on previous nights, drawn to discarded food.
Its comfort around humans was unnerving, solocal wildlife experts from BEAR League in California were called to intervene.
Their goal was to teach the young bear to keep a safe distance from people without causing it harm.
One expert noted that the forest would provide plenty of food, and it was safer for the bear to avoid human-populated areas altogether.
A Social Media Buzz
The footage quickly went viral on TikTok, sparking a flood of comments. Viewers expressed concern, curiosity, and awe at the unusual sight.
One person commented: “Omg he is so stinking cute. I hope you called a rescue or something to help. Bears like this can get eliminated the more they are allowed to do this and it’s so sad for them. But omg he’s cute.”
Many noted relief that wildlife experts had stepped in, guiding the bear safely back to its natural habitat.
Another person said: “Awe I would have got him some berries or a watermelon or something. The poor baby is hungry, that’s all.”
I am sure that the people who sent him away to the forest also gave him something to eat. Hopefully the bear won’t struggle to find berries in the forest, as it’s just the right season for that.
Lastly, somebody commented: “Awwww he’s so cute. I wish they were friendly and not just friend shaped. Lol.”
Despite their cuteness, approaching wild animals can be dangerous and caution is essential.
Thanks to the intervention, the young bear was returned to the forest, learning to forage safely while keeping its distance from humans.
What began as a routine gas stop ended with a rare encounter, a little suspense, and a happy ending for one curious wildlife visitor.