Current:Home > reviewsWatch: Florida bear goes Grinch, tramples and steals Christmas lawn decorations -Mastery Money Tools
Watch: Florida bear goes Grinch, tramples and steals Christmas lawn decorations
View
Date:2025-04-14 08:50:17
A bear has been caught getting in the holiday spirit – Grinch style – when a doorbell camera recorded it stealing lawn decorations from a Florida family.
Edgar Jason Levin spotted the bear on security footage at his home in Longwood, Florida, about 15 miles north of Orlando, according to Storyful.
The video shows the bear pad up to light-up reindeer and swipe a paw at the biggest one. The reindeer fell over as the lights went out and the bear trampled over it. The bear then knocks over a second light-up reindeer, grabbing it in its mouth to drag it away.
Bear becomes a cherished family story
Levin told WSVN-TV that the decoration was later found up the driveway with a few scratch marks from the bear. The whole encounter has become a cherished story among the Levin family.
“The kids love it," he told the station. "As soon as I showed them, they were like, ‘Oh my God! It’s so great! They just go crazy with it."
According to Storyful, this is the second year bears have messed with the decorations.
Bears wreak havoc throughout Florida
Yes, there are bears in Florida.
They can be found almost anywhere in the state but prefer to be in areas of flatwoods, swamps, scrub oak ridges, and hammock habitats, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
They look for places in cover and try to stay away from heavily populated areas. But much of Central Florida falls in one of the regions that the commission considers "frequent" for bear visits based on observations by researchers, public calls for help and sightings.
Those areas are considered core to the bear population and show evidence that reproduction is consistent.
Officials urge the public to avoid feeding bears, as it can increase their comfort with humans and put them at further risk. Officials recommend securing trash with a caddy, a bear-resistant container or simply waiting to put bins out in the morning before trash pickup.
veryGood! (52617)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Woman extradited from Italy is convicted in Michigan in husband’s 2002 death
- Klaus Mäkelä, just 28, to become Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director in 2027
- Iowa vs. LSU Elite Eight game was most bet women's sports event ever
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Jim Harbaugh goes through first offseason program as head coach of Los Angeles Chargers
- In Texas, Ex-Oil and Gas Workers Champion Geothermal Energy as a Replacement for Fossil-Fueled Power Plants
- Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Orlando city commissioner accused of stealing 96-year-old's money
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- New England braces for major spring snowstorm as severe weather continues to sock US
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- SUV rams into front gate at FBI Atlanta headquarters, suspect in custody
- Ex-police officer gets 200 hours community service for campaign scheme to help New York City mayor
- Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after months of delays by Biden administration
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- NBA legend Magic Johnson, star Taylor Swift among newest billionaires on Forbes' list
- 3 people, including child, found dead in Kansas City home following welfare check
- Travis Kelce announces lineup for Kelce Jam music festival. Will Taylor Swift attend?
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Bezos Bunker: Amazon founder buys third property in Florida's wealthy hideaway, reports say
Elon Musk’s X has a new safety leader, nine months after predecessor left the social media platform
A police dog’s death has Kansas poised to increase penalties for killing K-9 officers
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Arby's is giving away one free sandwich a week for the month of April: How to get yours
Prosecutors: Art forger duped French, American collectors with 'Renaissance' counterfeits
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Face First