Two bears got into the Krispy Kreme delivery van and spent around an hour eating donuts while cutting up packaging on Wednesday morning, at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage.
The driver opened the doors of the van when he was making a delivery to the convenience store at the gas station known as JMM Express.
The store manager Shelly Deano says he won’t keep the doors open for any longer.
Deano says that it’s a lesson for the driver and employees of the store who are used to spotting bears around the area.
Listen:
The transcript below has been edited lightly for clarity.
Shelly Deano The usual way is that we did not think much about it until the day, when the mama bear walking through the van. And it was early morning, and it was pitch-black. I bent down to check the location of her, as we have gas pumps and there were customers. Then suddenly, I heard movements within the van. And then I heard the mother cracking open the doughnuts and then the little one was next. Then they started eating the entire doughnuts. They didn’t eat the entire amount, however approximately half. We attempted to remove them. We banged against the vehicle. No luck. The suspects were likely in the room for at least for 20 minutes. Then, we needed to contact security police. They went off with their sirens that were loud. It took them a couple of minutes to exit the van. Then they just sat near the entrance to the store for a short time. However, it took them a while and the security officers to convince them to move further into the woods next to our building.
Casey Grove: Do you have bears around frequently?
Shelly Deano“Ok yes we have to do it. We must get the garbage out three times per day. The garbage collection time is midnight, so we take the final garbage pick-up at a time closer to midnight. We try to do it in pairs, if we are able to. However, they tend to visit us because there are woods both sides of us. They’re also aware of the best places to go.
Casey Grove: I was just wondering what you thought, I’m referring to when you first saw the bear mama bear and then you realized that it was inside the vehicle, were concerned or were you awestruck? Or was it something else?
Shelly Deano Then I was I’m not sure if I was shocked. I was more concerned about people taking photos from close proximity to the van. Therefore, I had to get out and warn them that “You are all required to be aware.” Then I went out and take photos. However, she was not paying attention. She was just enjoying the doughnuts. She didn’t seem to take any notice of it. So I wasn’t concerned. It was fun, is what it was.
Casey Grove: Hardly anyone can blame them isn’t it? I’m referring to…
Shelly Deano“Yeah!.
Casey Grove: So I contacted the, you know, the base public affairs people to ask their opinion on this. The lady there laughed for a moment however she didn’t consider it to be the same as I imagine like we do.
Shelly Deano“Yeah!.
Casey Grove: Did they communicate to you or does the company communicate the base that for instance they don’t want the Krispy Kreme truck’s doors left open, or something similar to that?
Shelly Deano“No But I’m saying, Krispy Kreme is taking steps and also informed that the doors must be shut, evidently. Now, he’s going to start delivery to behind our stores. He usually delivers from the front because it’s more convenient for him to get there. However, he’s going to move it towards the rear from beginning. He has also closed his doors because we didn’t think of this, in truth, prior to. The first thing you think about is garbage and bears and ensure that your garbage is removed Make sure that you dispose of garbage in your home or something similar. Never did I think about closing the doors to the van. I never thought about it sincerely.
Casey Grove: Yes. There’s a first moment for every thing, doesn’t it?
Shelly Deano Oh yeah.
Casey Grove: It seems like you’ve received some phone calls from folks like me who interested in the. What have you heard from?
Shelly Deano Also NBC as well CBS. Of course, there’s our local news is The Alaskan News Source. It’s broadcast on CNN. I received a call from someone from the UK. Then I received an email from the Washington Post last night. This is the Seattle Times. Someone is from inside the Associated Press, and, you know, Insider.
Edition I would like to say.
Casey Grove: Oh Inside Edition.
Shelly Deano“Yeah. Then naturally you, and our own We have a service known as Exchange Post. Exchange Post just within our company. This was also the case today. The trend continues to go fast and furious.
Casey Grove: Well, yeah. I suppose I’m not the only person to contact you. Perhaps I’m not doing a great job in this.
Shelly Deano“It’s okay I’m the second person to call me today. I thought, “Oh, I’m still receiving telephone calls.”
Casey Grove: It might slow down for you shortly.
Shelly Deano“I’m certain.
In the form of a statement, JBER public affairs officials declared, “Wildlife may be our neighbour however they shouldn’t be drawn to our sources of food. Be cautious when placing food items in storage or disposal to ensure that you’re protecting the wildlife around you and your home. .”
