How did the authorities handle the situation with the black bear at the Sequoia Park Zoo?

The authorities, including the police and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, worked together to create a "calm and safe resolution" to escort the bear back into the wild without any disturbance or damage to the zoo's property.

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Lonely Black Bear Breaks into California Zoo to Make New Friends

Q: Why did the black bear break into the Sequoia Park Zoo?

The black bear broke into the Sequoia Park Zoo in an apparent attempt to make new friends with the resident bears, as it was described as a "lonely" bear.

Q: What happened to the black bear after it was safely removed from the Sequoia Park Zoo?

After a brief exploration of the zoo's facilities, the black bear, estimated to be around one-and-a-half years old and 150 pounds, was safely escorted back into the woods through a service gate by the authorities.

21 Oct

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Summary

Curious black bear broke into Sequoia Park Zoo to interact with resident bears
Bear was "very polite" and stayed on boardwalk during brief visit
Zoo staff and authorities safely escorted the bear back into the wild

Lonely Black Bear Breaks into California Zoo to Make New Friends

On October 21, 2025, a curious black bear broke into the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, Northern California, in an apparent attempt to make new friends with the resident bears. The bear, estimated to be around one-and-a-half years old and 150 pounds, was spotted by a zoo staff member doing a routine inspection around 9:30 AM, before the zoo had opened for the day.

The bear had managed to climb a tree to gain access to the zoo, and was observed "interacting with Tule, Ishŭng, and Kunabulilh through their habitat fencing." According to the zoo's statement, the bear "did not appear aggressive" during his brief stay. The zoo's public information officer, Laura Montagna, commented that she thought "Poor thing, it's lonely" when she first heard about the incident.