In a Facebook post last week, the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California admitted that their facility isn’t all that secure from bears penetrating the fencing and roaming freely around the facility, though to be fair – and as already spoiled in the headline – the bear was an outside infiltrator.
“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 assess and resolve the situation. 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. This was an exemplary execution of our emergency systems which resulted in the best outcome for everyone involved – including the bear!” Sequoia Park Zoo wrote in the post.
“The wild bear did not appear aggressive and was observed interacting with Tule, Ishŭng, and Kunabulilh 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. Overall, he was a very polite visitor. He stayed on the boardwalk path, kept two feet on the ground and didn’t try to climb over the railings! (But seriously, when we say ‘wildlife welcome,’ this isn’t exactly what we have in mind. 😅) 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,” the post continued.