Wild bear breaks into California zoo, is found communing with the captive bears

"On the tour trail was a wild American black bear leaning on a gate to peer in at the three black bears in their habitat within the park, according the zoo's Facebook post. "The wild bear did not appear aggressive and was observed interacting with Tule, Ishŭng, and Kunabulilh through their habitat fencing," the post said. The Eureka Police Department got a call about the curious visitor around 9:30 a.m. and responded to the zoo along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife."

"Directly behind the zoo is the wooded area of Eureka's 60-acre Sequoia Park, and that's where the bear is believed to have come from, said Laura Montagna, public information officer for the Police Department. But how the wild bear entered the zoo is a mystery. Officials said the perimeter fencing that separates the facility from the park was intact and secure."

"Montagna said Fish and Wildlife took the lead on escorting the bear out of the zoo and back into the woods. The police officers ensured that no human visitors were nearby, "so that the bear wouldn't get scared," she said. During the wild bear's visit, the Sequoia Park Zoo said, it didn't enter any animal habitats and after a "brief exploration of the enrichment items" - objects that provide mental or physical stimulation for animals -"

Staff at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka encountered a wild American black bear on the Redwood Sky Walk during a routine inspection before opening. The wild bear leaned on a gate to peer at three resident black bears and did not appear aggressive while interacting through habitat fencing. Police and California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded, and Fish and Wildlife led efforts to escort the bear back into the wooded area of the adjacent 60-acre Sequoia Park. Perimeter fencing was reported intact and secure. The bear briefly explored enrichment items and was safely coaxed back into the woods through a service gate.

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