In a surprising midweek encounter, a black bear made its way into a Southern California water district office on Wednesday. The curious bear managed to push open the front door, roamed around briefly, and then returned to the nearby forest.
This unusual visit was caught on surveillance cameras at the Crestline Village Water District, located in the San Bernardino Mountains. The footage shows the small black bear entering the office in the afternoon, with employees witnessing the unexpected guest’s short stay.
The bear took its time exploring, sniffing around the premises before heading back to the entrance. Demonstrating an impressive level of independence, it opened the door once more to exit the building without assistance.
A snapshot captures the black bear as it gently pushes the front door while leaving the Crestline Village Water District office in California on Wednesday. (Crestline Village Water District)
“It was an exhilarating experience to see a bear up close,” remarked Josselyn Brian, an employee of Crestline Village Water District, to KTLA. She added, “Thankfully, no one was in harm’s way. We didn’t have any customers inside, just staff, making it a thrilling yet safe encounter.”
Employees also told the outlet they watched as the bear wandered back into the woods after leaving the office. No injuries were reported, and the animal did not appear to damage the building.
The encounter is the latest unusual bear incident to capture attention this week.
A black bear pushes open an office door before wandering inside. (Crestline Village Water District)
Earlier this week, a bear in rural New Mexico climbed to the top of a utility pole near Gladstone, about 170 miles east of Santa Fe, in an encounter that was captured on video and later shared by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn’t what we meant,” the department joked in a social media post accompanying the footage.
The video, verified by Storyful, also included audio from a 911 caller reporting the unusual sight.
A black bear wanders through the lobby of the Crestline Village Water District office in California after entering the building. (Crestline Village Water District)
“I’m calling to report a bear on top of a light pole,” the caller told a dispatcher.
The dispatcher said wildlife officials had already been notified but could not safely tranquilize the animal while it remained atop the pole because it could fall.
The bear later died after being electrocuted before wildlife officials could safely rescue it, the New York Post reported.
Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs.
In mountain communities like Crestline, where bears regularly roam neighborhoods in search of food, encounters with people are not uncommon, though one wandering into an office building is considerably more unusual.