Bear Steals Leftovers At Colorado Restaurant

A brazen bear has been caught on camera serving itself a takeaway - by pushing a bin full of leftover German food from the car park of a US restaurant.

The animal has made repeat visits to the Edelweiss restaurant in Colorado Springs, where security cameras have caught it tucking into waste food.

During a Wednesday morning visit to the back door of the restaurant the bear pulled a bin about 15 metres, flipped the container over and opened the lid to eat food tossed out the night before.

The Edelweiss signature dish is rouladen - steak pounded and rolled, stuffed with bacon, mustard, onions and pickle, covered in a dark gravy and accompanied by red cabbage and fried potatoes.

"There's some fresh, really good food attracting the bear," said Edelweiss manager Dieter Schnakenberg.

"She passes up the recycling bin and goes right for the good stuff."

Mr Schnakenberg estimates the bear to be over two-metres tall when it stands on its hind legs, and staff have now been warned to be careful as they go to and from the bins.

The bear enjoyed the meal so much that it showed up again early on Thursday.

The restaurant is about two miles south of downtown Colorado Springs, and the bear is believed to be following the Cheyenne Creek into the neighbourhood, Mr Schnakenberg said.

The restaurant’s management is considering using chains to anchor the bins to a nearby fence. Using a locking lid could be another option to thwart the repeat offender.

Colorado Parks and Wildllife says conflicts between black bears and people are increasing, with residents encouraged not to keep rubbish out overnight unless it is in a bear-proof container.

Spokesman Randy Hampton said: "The best-case scenario is they secure the dumpster and the bear doesn't come back."