If you thought a truck bed cover was going to protect your belongings and/or food from bears, think again. They’re not likely to pop open your tailgate using the handle to snoop around.
But, as you can see in the video below, bears can rip the bed cover off with ease. Not only that, hopping up on top of a truck bed cover in a parking lot and ripping it open is a teachable moment they can pass along to their cubs.
A bear and cub forage for food. (Getty Images)
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You can’t see exactly what momma bear is after, but her cub is definitely taking notes as it figures out how to get onto the bed cover to join her.
It’s safe to assume the bear isn’t interested in camping gear or tools.
She in all likelihood is sniffing out food the truck owner mistakenly thought would be protected in the bed of the truck by the cover.
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A black bear and her cubs cross a street. (Getty Images)
Perhaps a picnic basket? Whatever it was the bears caught the scent of, the cover was no match for these two.
There’s more knowledge that can be passed along here, aside from the fact that your food is not safe from bears in the bed of your truck under a cover.
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The Instagram account that shared the viral video recognized that and shared the one rule you need to remember if you encounter a mother bear and her cubs, never get between them.
Stock image of a mother bear and her cub. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Also, if you encounter them:
• Stay calm and do not run.
• Give them plenty of space and slowly back away.
• Never approach the cubs — even for a photo.
• Keep dogs leashed and under control.
• Don’t climb a tree; black bears and cubs can climb extremely well.
• If the bear changes behavior because of you, you’re already too close.
• Carry bear spray where bears are present — and keep it accessible, not buried in your backpack.