Story By: Amelia Guran, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@leopard_land

The cab of this rusting army truck has become a scratching post for a bear and an object of curiosity for birds and even a huge tiger and a chipmunk, according to wildlife officials who placed a camera nearby.

The rusting wreck of the Soviet army GAZ-66 truck was found by wildlife officials in the middle of a forest in the Leopard Land national park in far-eastern Russia’s Primorsky Krai region, and as it seemed to have tracks indicating it was popular with local animals, they set up the wildlife camera.

And they were rewarded when they captured images of the Himalayan bears (Ursus arctos isabellinus) using the cab as a scratching post and even sitting comically inside as if they were driving, as well as a huge and muscular Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), a tiny chipmunk and a curious crow, according to forestry officials.

The footage of the bear caused particular amusement among the team who then posted it together in a collection which they put online for wildlife lovers.

The tiger footage is in black-and-white because it was shot at night, and shows the cautious predator sniffing inside the cab of the vehicle before having a good scratch.

Leopard Land spokesman Gleb Sedash said it was no accident that Sammy animals turned up to investigate, because unlike the rest of the forest, the rusting wreckage stood out and was different.

He said: “The popularity of the cabin among animals is not accidental: It stands out against the general forest background and is clearly visible to local residents.

“The object can serve as a marking platform where animals leave urine and wool, exchanging information about their appearance, gender and age.

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