When the School Trash Can Was Opened, a Black Bear Suddenly Appeared... Startled, the US Principal Ran Away

Opening a Trash Can, US Principal Encounters Black Bear
"Most Threatening Moment of My Life... But the Bear Was Probably Surprised Too"

A principal at an elementary school in West Virginia, USA, had a close encounter with a black bear that popped out of a trash can while he was inspecting it, causing him to flee in a hurry.

According to local US broadcaster WSAZ3 on the 2nd (local time), James Marsh, the principal of Jella Elementary School in Summersville, Nicholas County, came face to face with a huge black bear when he unlocked the trash can while inspecting school facilities the previous morning.

James Marsh, principal of Jella Elementary School in West Virginia, USA, is seen startled and running away after encountering a black bear emerging from a trash can on the 1st (local time).
[Image source=WFAA YouTube]

CCTV footage of the incident shows Principal Marsh unlocking the lock installed at the entrance of the trash can. Then, the trash can lid opened upward, and a black bear peeked its head out through the opening.

Startled by this, Principal Marsh threw down the lock and quickly ran away. The black bear also ran in the opposite direction from Marsh, and a staff member who was opening the door understood the situation and immediately closed it.

The trash can lock was reportedly installed to prevent bears from frequently rummaging through the trash. After confirming that the bear had fled, Principal Marsh breathed a sigh of relief.

CCTV footage capturing the situation at the time. [Image source=WFAA YouTube]

In an interview with local media, Marsh said, "Usually, you just throw things into the trash can," and added, "I never thought something that big would come out of the trash can."

He continued, "The black bear popped out of the trash can like a toy where a doll jumps out when you open the lid," and "That black bear actually growled. It was the most threatening thing I've ever experienced." He added, "I think both the bear and I were equally startled."

Principal Marsh also showed the video of the black bear to the staff and students. He joked, "They told me 'You're quite fast for your age,'" and said, "We hope the black bear finds its meals somewhere else."

The Nicholas County Board of Education also posted the video on Facebook with a witty caption, "Who said the principal doesn't deserve hazard pay?"

Local netizens who watched the video reacted with comments such as "Glad no one got hurt," "The bear looks more startled," and "The principal runs faster than the black bear."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.