A black bear wandered through downtown Frederick, Maryland, over the weekend, prompting multiple calls to police as videos of the unexpected visitor spread across social media.
Frederick Police responded to several reports of bear sightings on Saturday evening. According to city officials, six officers assisted during the incident.
Authorities coordinated with Animal Control and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and determined that the safest approach was to monitor the bear from a distance while allowing it to leave the area on its own.
Officers observed the bear for about an hour as it made its way north along Market Street before safely exiting the downtown area without any reported injuries or incidents.
Officials reminded the public to keep a safe distance from bears, avoid feeding or approaching them, and contact authorities if a wild animal poses an immediate threat to public safety.
