Lunchtime at the Crestline Village Water District got unexpectedly wild on Wednesday when a small black bear casually pushed open the front door and wandered into the lobby around 12:15 p.m.
Employees watched as the young-looking bear stood on its hind legs, nudged the door open like a regular visitor and strolled through the air-conditioned lobby. After roughly two minutes of exploring, the animal turned around and headed back outside. Office manager Josselyn Bryan said the only evidence of the furry drop-in was a couple of nose prints on the glass. No one was hurt, nothing was damaged and the whole encounter was captured on video that later aired on local television.
As reported by NBC Los Angeles, Bryan said the bear “was just sauntering through” and seemed to enjoy the cool air. The station’s footage shows the animal stepping briefly into the office area before quickly exiting. According to the outlet, the clip ran during its 7 p.m. newscast on Wednesday, July 22, and staff confirmed that no furniture or equipment was damaged during the visit.
Recent Bear Activity in Crestline
The office cameo comes on the heels of more serious bear incidents in the San Bernardino Mountains. In mid-June, a black bear reached through a bedroom window and clawed a 19-year-old in Crestline, prompting a California Department of Fish and Wildlife investigation, according to the Los Angeles Times. The teenager required hospital treatment, and wildlife officers collected potential DNA evidence as part of their probe. Residents and local officials say the run of encounters has underscored how habituated bears can become when they find easy access to human food.
How to Report and Prevent Encounters
Wildlife experts urge mountain residents to cut down on anything that might lure bears closer to homes and businesses. That means securing garbage, taking down bird feeders and storing pet food indoors, guidance outlined by BearWise.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife asks people to report human-bear conflicts through its Wildlife Incident Reporting portal at California Department of Fish and Wildlife or by calling (916) 358-2917, so wildlife officers can determine whether capture or other action is needed. Officials note that most black bear visits end without injury, but that quick reporting helps keep situations from escalating.
After the Crestline bear moseyed back outside, the water district office resumed normal business, and staff reported no damage, NBC Los Angeles noted. The calm encounter is a timely reminder that mountain communities are sharing their streets, yards and, occasionally, their offices with active wildlife this summer. Officials advise calling 911 for any immediate threat and using the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Incident Reporting portal for non-emergency sightings so officers can track patterns and respond if needed.
