A black bear made an unexpected visit to a water district office in Southern California. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the bear pushed open the entrance of the Crestline Village Water District in the San Bernardino Mountains. The bear wandered briefly inside before returning to the forest.

Surveillance footage captured the small black bear entering the office in the afternoon. Employees watched the encounter unfold, noting that the bear seemed curious as it wandered through the building. Fortunately, the bear left without causing damage and no injuries were reported.

“It was exciting. It was cool to see a bear that close,” said Josselyn Brian, an employee at the water district. She added that no customers were present during the bear’s visit, which minimized potential danger.

This encounter adds to recent bear incidents capturing public attention. Earlier in the week, a black bear in New Mexico climbed a utility pole, about 170 miles east of Santa Fe. The U.S. Department of the Interior shared footage of the event, adding a lighthearted comment about the bear’s climb.

An audio recording from a 911 call reported the bear’s presence atop the pole. Authorities had been informed but could not sedate the animal safely. Unfortunately, the bear later died from electrocution before a rescue attempt could be made.

Wildlife experts note that black bears are adept climbers, often ascending trees, poles, or structures when startled. Encounters with humans are not uncommon in mountain areas like Crestline, where bears frequently roam in search of food. However, a bear entering a building is notably more unusual.

Brittany Miller is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, bringing experience from her time at the Independent and education from Syracuse University.