The mysterious scoundrel who knocked over a trashcan outside the Bigfork branch of the Flathead County Library on Monday night turned out to be a small black bear in search of a midnight snack.  

A chaotic scene of garbage strewn around a fallen trash bin greeted Head Librarian Tony Edmundson when he arrived at the library early Tuesday morning.  

His review of security camera footage revealed a bear moseying down the sidewalk at 10:15 p.m., Sept. 21. The culprit stood up on its haunches when it reached the black plastic bin near the parking lot and wrestled with it until it knocked over. Then it nuzzled open the lid and stuck in its head to peruse the contents.  

Flathead County Library trustees chuckled as the head librarian recounted the tale at their Thursday meeting. 

"He just Yogi Bear'd down there and had a picnic," Edmundson said. "It was a mess." 

The bear sighting was reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Edmundson said, and he ordered a bear-resistant container from the library's garbage disposal contractor. Board Chair David Ingram suggested posting a clip of the tape on the library's social media page.  

"May be fun," Ingram said. "You know, funny facts for the library." 

"May I show him reading a book while he was there?" asked Trustee Doug Adams.  

Edmundson told the Inter Lake the bear returned Wednesday at 11:18 p.m. It appears to be alone and has a fondness for protein drinks, he said. Library staff have been instructed to bring in the trashcans at night until the bear-proof containers arrive. 

This is the first bear-sighting at the Bigfork library since it was built a little more than two years ago, Edmundson said.  

State wildlife officials warned in late July that bear activity could increase following a poor huckleberry season. Two grizzly bears were seen swimming in Flathead Lake near Polson last Friday, and another bear was reportedly spotted on the outskirts of Libby earlier this month. 

Information on how to deter bear activity or act during a bear encounter is available at fwp.mt.gov. All bear sightings should be reported to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.