Car left trashed after bear sniffs takeout chicken in Port Moody

Photo: Contributed

A Port Moody man has been left scratching his head after a black bear entered his car, ransacked the interior and took off into the night.

The first sign something was off came from Bruno Lange’s neighbours. They were driving by his house Saturday, and saw his Hyundai Elantra shaking. 

“They went for a hike and expected to see a bear. Then they got home and out jumped a bear from the car,” Lange said.

After the neighbours rang the door bell and told Lange what they saw, he went out to check on his vehicle. The interior panelling had been completely trashed. The turn signal lever was torn off and the bear had clearly clawed or gnawed at the motor that powers the windows.

“It came in through the driver side door and left through the passenger side,” said Lange. “Smart bear.”

Lange called police that night to file a report, and a conservation officer came by the next day. 

“They’re a little bit concerned because they’re not sure if the bear is habituated, getting used to people,” said Lange. “And [the bears] are just coming out of hibernation so they’re probably pretty hungry.”

“The funny thing is we did order Chicko Chicken that night,” mused Lange, noting his wife picked up the Korean fried chicken, but that they came inside to eat. “They talk about their sense of smell. It’s good chicken. About an hour wait.”

“That’s my only explanation.”