GREENFIELD, CALIFORNIA – A black bear spotted in Greenfield on Wednesday night climbed a tree near Pine Avenue before leaving the area on its own, according to police. Greenfield officers responded to the sighting and found what appeared to be a young black bear up in the tree shortly after the report came in.
Police said that kind of behavior is common when bears feel frightened or are trying to avoid what they perceive as a threat. Officers on scene consulted with California State Parks and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who advised that no intervention was necessary because the bear was not showing aggression and posed no danger to the public.
Sightings Rare but Not Unheard of in the Area
Police noted that black bear sightings are uncommon in Greenfield, though the animals are native to Monterey County and occasionally pass through populated areas before continuing on their way. Officers spent the time alerting nearby homes about the bear’s presence and conducting continued patrol checks in the surrounding area while monitoring the situation.
About an hour after the initial sighting, officers confirmed the bear had left the area on its own. Wildlife officials said the bear was not captured or relocated, since it was behaving naturally throughout the encounter and did not require any intervention from authorities.
Police Urge Caution Around Wildlife Sightings
Police reminded residents not to approach, feed, or otherwise interact with wildlife, and to keep children and pets at a safe distance whenever an animal is spotted nearby. Anyone who encounters an aggressive animal or believes there is an immediate threat to public safety is urged to call 911 right away.
Officers also shared general guidance for handling wildlife encounters, including avoiding close approach, not attempting to feed or interact with the animal, refraining from gathering around it or taking close-up photos and videos, keeping children and pets at a distance, and allowing the animal space to leave the area on its own.
Stay updated for the latest news as this story develops.
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