Several schools in Northern California were placed on a brief lockdown after a black bear was seen wandering across campus.
The Madera County Sheriff’s office said Friday morning that multiple schools in the mountain community of Oakhurst, including Yosemite High School, Oak Creek Intermediate and Oakhurst Elementary, were on lockdown after the beast was spotted.
The wild animal was first seen near the tennis courts on the Yosemite High School campus before it climbed up and down a tree and then meandered off, a spokesperson with Yosemite Unified School District told the California Post.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service was called as deputies in the area worked to ensure the safety of kids and staff.
Parents were notified before school started, leading to students being held on buses before the lockdown was lifted.
Photos showed the black bear standing on its hind legs on campus and sitting in a tree it had climbed.
Video obtained by ABC 30 showed the bear strolling across campus grounds.
Wildlife officials told KSEE 24 they believe the bear ended up leaving the area.
A spokesperson with the district said it was the first time she was aware of a bear on campus.
“It’s not something that’s unusual where we live, we see bears in our neighborhood,” the spokesperson said. “Usually not an issue on campus, though, when students are present.”
No one was injured in the incident.
It is unclear if the bear was an adult or young. The California Post reached out to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for more information.
