Actually, this bear has been opening Bear Vaults in the Marcy Dam area of the Adirondacks for several years, as mentioned in the story, and Bear Vaults haven't been allowed there. Evidently it has taken this long for the NY Times to get the word. I'm fairly sure that I first read about the Marcy Dam bear on this site!

It just proves my long-standing contention that, in the long term, bears are smarter than inventors of bear-proof containers!
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey