Update: Bear returns to wild after visiting the Steak 'n Shake

The Ocala Star Banner ^ | June 5, 2010 | Austin L. Miller

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The Florida black bear that got stranded up trees in near the intersection of State Road 200 and Interstate 75 - one of the busiest parts of Ocala - found its bearings Friday night and headed home to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

At about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the bear came down from one tree, ran to another and climbed about 12 feet up that one, according to the Ocala Police Department. It stayed there a few minutes.

Then it came down again and traveled - with some encouragement from wildlife officers - through dark areas behind the well-lit Berkshire Oaks shopping center. It went south, moving through areas just west of I-75, toward the conservation area from which officers believe it had strayed.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

'How did a bear get there?

That's what a lot of folks were asking Friday afternoon about the "nice size" black bear that climbed a 40-foot oak tree at Steak 'n Shake, which sits at the always-jammed intersection of State Road 200 and Interstate 75.'

The bear has good taste, Steak and Shake makes great burgers.

[donhunt]

He’s probably heading toward Mooresville NC where they have a billboard that emits broiled steak odors.

[OldDeckHand]

Absolutely. Who doesn’t love the Steak & Shake? Since Carl’s isn’t available in the Midwest, S&S is the best burger going, no question. Bacon ‘n Cheese Double Steakburger, every time.

[P.O.E.]

Steak and Shake makes great burgers.

And great strawberry shakes. Yum! Everytime I travel down south I make it a point to stop at Steak & Shake.

[NonValueAdded]

Well, after a full meal he naturally had to go to the woods.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Gives new meanign to TAKHOMASAK...

A photo of the bear in question:

[OldMissileer]

Several years ago, while visiting my sister, we ate at a Steak & Shake. The entire staff consisted on teenagers and they were, to a one, nasty and condescending. A couple of hours later I became violently ill and was in misery for two days.

I have never darkened the door of a Steak & Shake again.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Fox News just showed film of our Ocala bear.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Did the bear use the restroom there? Just wondering.

[Zeppo]

Smarter than your average bear, no doubt...

[rfp1234]

Oh, good. I misread the headline as “Sestak and Shake”.