[UPDATED] Curious Bear Pays a Visit to Sequoia Park Zoo

Wild bear visits Sequoia Zoo. [Image from the Sequoia Park Zoo]

According to the Eureka Police Department, officers arrived at the zoo after a bear was spotted exploring the grounds. “The bear is not aggressive and seems more curious than anything else,” EPD reported, adding humorously that it may have been “hoping to apply for a membership.”

Sequoia Park Zoo Director Jim Campbell-Spickler told Redheaded Blackbelt in a phone interview that the wild bear appeared to be curious about the zoo’s resident bears. “It was able to exit the zoo without incident,” he said, noting that additional information will be provided later today.

By late morning, the zoo confirmed it remained open and fully operational while California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel continued monitoring the situation. No injuries or property damage were reported.

The timing of the bear’s visit couldn’t have been more ironic—just days after the zoo hosted its annual OktoBEARfest, presented by Humboldt Cider Company. Perhaps, the bear simply got its dates mixed up and showed up late to the festivities.

EPD’s post summed up the moment with humor: “It’s not every day we find ourselves helping with crowd control for a bear who doesn’t quite understand ‘stay behind the railings.’”

UPDATE from the Sequoia Park Zoo:

It was an eventful morning at Sequoia Park Zoo when staff conducting the Redwood Sky Walk daily inspection spotted a wild American black bear within the Zoo facility. Emergency procedures were implemented immediately, and the facility deployed a rapid response to asses and resolve the situation.

Officers from Eureka Police Department arrived at the scene to help keep park-goers safe while a California Department of Fish and Wildlife warden worked with Zoo staff to convince the bear to retreat back into Sequoia Park.

“We are grateful to Eureka Police Department and California Department of Fish and Wildlife for their swift response and assistance in creating a calm and safe resolution,” says Jim Campbell-Spickler, Sequoia Park Zoo Director. “This was an exemplary execution of our emergency systems which resulted in the best outcome for everyone involved – including the bear!”

The wild bear did not appear aggressive and was observed interacting with Tule, Ishŭng and Nabu through their habitat fencing. At no point did the wild bear enter any animal habitats and, after a brief exploration of the enrichment items around the night house, the bear was safely coaxed back into the woods through a service gate.

“Our three bears are very distinctive in appearance, and I recognized right away that it was not one of ours,” says Christine Noel, Education Curation and Redwood Sky Walk inspector who made the initial observation. “Overall, he was a very polite visitor. He stayed on the boardwalk path and didn’t try to climb over the railings.”

The perimeter fencing separating the Zoo from Sequoia Park is intact and secure, and it is currently unknown how the animal gained access to the Zoo. We will continue to monitor the situation. Wild bears and other animals call Sequoia Park home, and we remind our guests to responsibly live alongside them by observing wildlife from a distance, staying on marked trails and always being aware of your surroundings.

Update: Bear on Campus Prompts Brief Lockdown at Eureka’s Washington Elementary