• Unusual incident prompts police response in Tennessee tourist town
• Animal walks away unharmed as video spreads widely online

A routine call for police in Gatlinburg, Tennessee turned into an unexpected scene after a black bear became trapped inside a hotel bathroom in the middle of the touristic town.

According to a police report, officers were alerted by a staff member who said a bear had entered an outdoor bathroom and locked itself inside.

Officer Quayvaughn McCollum stated that an employee saw the animal go into the restroom and shut the door behind it, prompting officers to respond to the unusual situation.

A widely shared video shows officers carefully opening the door before the bear calmly steps out and walks away along the sidewalk, while bystanders and police quickly move aside.

One officer can be seen using noise and simple deterrents to guide the animal away from the area and prevent it from returning toward populated spaces.

Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported, with only minor property damage recorded after a mirror inside the bathroom was broken, estimated at around 50 dollars.

Black bear sightings are common in eastern Tennessee, especially in Gatlinburg during this time of year, but an incident involving one locking itself in a bathroom remains highly unusual and widely discussed.