Residents of Novato, California, were startled to discover a mother bear and her two cubs roaming near Miwok Park yesterday. The Novato Police Department received initial reports about the bear sighting and discovered bear scat around the playground area on the San Miguel Way side, according to their announcement.

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife, who are also cautioning the community, emphasized that bears are generally afraid of people, and aggressive behavior from them is rare. They further noted that a bear tends to be defensive when protecting its young or a food source, or if startled.

Even though bear sightings are not common in Novato or Marin, both the police and wildlife authorities want residents to follow a few simple rules to ensure their safety. Among them, people are advised not to approach a bear, especially if it is feeding or with offspring. Additionally, running away or lying down to play dead should be avoided as these actions may provoke an attack. Instead, fight back if an attack occurs.

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife website offers numerous tips for dealing with bears, such as not hiking or jogging through wooded areas at dawn, dusk, or night, always leaving an escape route for the bear, keeping a close watch on small children while in these areas, and making noise or looking bigger by waving arms and throwing objects. This helps to scare away the bear without causing conflict.

In case a bear is sighted, residents should avoid the area and immediately call 911. The Novato Police Department and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife urge the community members to remain vigilant and cautious during this time.