Hungry Bear Steals Bird Feeder Along With Camera From Backyard in Maine

Animals Around The Globe
5 min readJul 25, 2024

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Imagine waking up one morning to find your bird feeder in disarray. That’s exactly what happened to Jeff Meissner in New Gloucester, but instead of a bird, it was a black bear this time that had visited his backyard one night to eat some sunflower seeds! Jeff noticed some feeders were knocked over and others were missing altogether. To his surprise, the intruder was caught on camera, revealing the bear’s unexpected nighttime snack raid!

Bear on Camera

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Curious about what had happened, Jeff checked his bird feeder cam only to find the footage showing a bear helping itself to the sunflower seeds. Not only did the bear enjoy the seeds, but it also walked off with one of the cameras that led him to capture his own theft! The incident was both alarming and fascinating to watch.

Clever Bear

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

The bear’s visit showcased its cleverness and adaptability, as it calmly took the feeders without realizing it was being recorded. This unexpected behavior provided Jeff with some impressive footage, highlighting the bear’s ease as it roamed the backyard in search of food. The footage revealed the bear’s unconcerned attitude, making it clear that it was quite at ease with its nighttime snacking.

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Watch the full video here!

Preparing for the Next Visit

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Determined to outsmart the bear, Jeff decided to take action by setting up motion-sensor sprinklers and alarms around his yard. His inventive approach aimed to give the bear a surprising welcome if it returned, hopefully deterring it from future visits. Jeff was excited to see if his new system would work, turning the situation into a fun challenge and showing his determination to protect his bird feeders while finding a creative way to deal with the bear.

Wildlife Expert Advice

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Wildlife experts advised bringing in bird feeders at night and securing trash cans to prevent attracting bears, emphasizing simple steps to reduce bear encounters. Jeff’s experience served as a reminder to follow these precautions, highlighting the importance of these measures. Ensuring safety for both people and bears was crucial, as these actions help prevent unnecessary interactions.

Community Interest

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Jeff’s story quickly became a topic of interest in the local community, attracting curious neighbors to learn about the bear and Jeff’s new deterrent system. The bear’s visit sparked conversations about wildlife in the area. Jeff’s proactive approach inspired others to follow similar measures to prevent bear encounters.

Watch the full video here!

The Bear’s Routine

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Understanding the bear’s behavior was key to creating effective deterrents. The bear’s visit to Jeff’s yard highlighted its search for easy food sources. Jeff’s efforts aimed to make his backyard less appealing to the bear. This careful observation allowed Jeff to stay one step ahead, continually adapting his strategies to ensure the bear would find his yard less attractive in the future.

Protecting the Feeders

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Jeff’s primary goal was to protect his bird feeders from future bear visits. The new system was designed to scare the bear away without causing harm. Jeff’s approach balanced safety and respect for the wildlife, which is a trait that will always be appreciated. Protecting the feeders while deterring the bear was a win-win situation.

Sharing the Story

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Jeff’s experience with the bear was something he shared with friends and family. The story of the bear’s visit and Jeff’s inventive solution was both entertaining and educational, highlighting the importance of being prepared for wildlife encounters.

Watch the full video here!

A Lesson in Adaptability

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

The bear’s visit taught Jeff a valuable lesson in adaptability. Both he and the bear had to adjust to new circumstances. Jeff’s quick thinking and proactive measures were crucial. The experience underscored the need to be adaptable when living near wildlife.

The Bear’s Perspective

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

From the bear’s perspective, Jeff’s backyard was a source of food. Understanding this helped Jeff create a more effective deterrent system. By addressing the bear’s needs and behaviors, he hoped to prevent future visits.

A Continuing Adventure

Bear
Bear
Screenshot from: Bear steals New Gloucester game camera. Source: YouTube. Uploaded: WMTW-TV.

Jeff’s adventure with the bear was far from over, as he remained vigilant, eager to see if his new system would work. The bear’s visit had turned into an ongoing project for Jeff, bringing the possibility of new encounters each day and adding excitement to his daily life. His situation underscored the importance of vigilance and proper measures to maintain harmonious coexistence with local wildlife. Jeff’s inventive approach served as a valuable reminder of the need to balance curiosity and safety when dealing with nature.

Watch the full video here!

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Animals Around The Globe
Animals Around The Globe

Written by Animals Around The Globe

Daily Animal News & Expert Insights. We share the most unique animal experiences, stories and viral videos from around the world, vetted by biologists and vets

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