Source: San Francisco Chronicle
A young wild black bear made a surprise visit to the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California, briefly interacting with the zoo’s three resident black bears through their enclosure fence. The bear, estimated to be about 1½ years old and 150 pounds, entered the zoo by climbing a tree from the surrounding forest but couldn’t find a way out until staff opened a service gate to safely guide it back into the woods. Zoo Director Jim Campbell-Spickler described the animal as curious and nonaggressive, noting it explored enrichment toys but caused no damage.
The incident prompted a quick response from police, who cleared nearby areas before the zoo opened. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife monitored the situation. Located in a wooded area, the 117-year-old zoo often sees wildlife nearby, but this was the first time a bear entered the grounds. Staff called the intruder “a very polite visitor.”
Read the full story HERE: https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/zoo-black-bear-21110050.php