Alex Carreles pulled into a California gas station late at night, expecting nothing more than a routine refueling. The bright overhead lights hummed steadily, pumps stood in neat rows, and the lot looked as ordinary as ever until something caught his eye.
A shape, furry and awkward, peeked out from the rim of a trash can.
It wasn’t moving like trash. Something about it made Alex pause, unease creeping through him.
He stepped closer, pavement crunching beneath his feet, and peered into the bin. Whatever was inside clearly didn’t belong there. In that moment, a simple stop for gas turned into a rescue no one had anticipated.
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.