RI Wildlife Officials Warn Residents After Bear Opens Narragansett Woman’s Car Door

NARRAGANSETT, RI. (THECOUNT) — Animal officials in the Rhode Island town of Narragansett are warning residents to be on the lookout for bears trying to gain entry to vehicles by opening the door.

Narragansett Animal Control said a woman called Tuesday to report a bear outside her vehicle near Camp Varnum.

The massive animal was able to open the frightened woman’s car door who was then forced to fight the bear off.

“Thankfully, she was able to secure herself in her vehicle after the bear opened the car door and she fought to shut it from inside,” animal control tweeted.

Officials warned residents that if they encounter a bear, they need to secure themselves as quickly as possible, reports WVCB.

“Yes, it’s ‘cool,’” animal control tweeted. “But it is a bear, a wild animal.”

Officials also said bears can run about 30 mph, so driving away isn’t always an option.

Bear opens woman’s car door in Narragansett, RI

Geo quick facts: Narragansett is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 15,868 at the 2010 census. However, during the summer months the town’s population more than doubles to near 34,000. The town is colloquially known as “Gansett” – Wikipedia.