An injured-looking black bear wandering through an Auburn neighborhood Sunday had residents on alert after the animal was spotted near Parkside Terrace, close to Placer High School. Neighbors reported the bear moving unsteadily, limping and seeming disoriented as it passed through the area. Police warned residents to steer clear while officers and wildlife personnel kept tabs on the situation.
Police Alert Neighbors To Limping Bear
Auburn police issued a community alert about the bear sighting near Parkside Terrace, noting that the animal was limping and appeared confused, according to CBS Sacramento. The department urged residents not to approach the bear, to keep pets indoors and to secure trash cans so as not to draw wildlife closer to homes. Officers said they would continue monitoring the animal and coordinate with animal control if intervention becomes necessary.
How To Stay Safe And Report Bear Sightings
State wildlife officials and the BearWise program advise people never to approach injured, confused or otherwise distressed bears and to remove easy food sources like unsecured trash and bird feeders, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CDFW directs residents to its Wildlife Incident Reporting system and a department contact line to report bear conflicts or animals that appear to be in trouble. If a bear poses an immediate threat to people or property, officials say residents should call 911 so first responders can evaluate the situation.
Why Bears Wander Into Foothill Neighborhoods
Bears are more likely to push into the suburban fringe when natural food is scarce or when human food is readily available, and CDFW stresses that “securing and eliminating attractants is the most important and effective long-term solution to prevent human-bear conflicts.” Local officers told CBS Sacramento they plan to keep an eye on the bear while wildlife staff decide whether the animal needs assistance.
Neighbors say they have tightened up their trash routines and are watching home cameras for any new sightings. We will report any official updates as they are released.
