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A wild black bear made an unexpected visit to the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California, seeking companionship with the zoo's resident bears. The curious visitor was spotted around 9:30 a.m., before the zoo opened, by a staff member conducting a routine inspection near the Redwood Sky Walk. The bear was seen interacting with Tule, Ishŭng, and Kunabulilh, the zoo's three black bears, through the habitat fencing.
According to a statement from the zoo, the wild bear did not display any aggression and appeared to be a "very polite" visitor. It stayed on the boardwalk path and did not attempt to enter any animal habitats. The bear likely entered the zoo by climbing a tree but was unable to find its way out.
Zoo Director Jim Campbell-Spickler estimated the bear to be about one-and-a-half years old and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He speculated that the bear was drawn to the zoo by the scent of its fellow bears. The perimeter fencing of the 60-acre Sequoia Park, which borders the zoo, remained undisturbed.
The Eureka Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were contacted to ensure a safe resolution. The bear was gently coaxed back into the woods through a service gate. Laura Montagna, the Eureka Police Department's public information officer, remarked that the bear was likely just lonely and looking for companionship.
The zoo reminded visitors to observe wildlife from a distance and stay on marked trails, as wild bears and other animals call Sequoia Park home.