Residents of a Markham neighbourhood were in for quite a surprise when a black bear was spotted casually walking down the street Monday night.
Surveillance video from the area shows a York Regional Police cruiser slowly following the bear as it continued its adventure in the neighbourhood.
“There were sightings of three bears in our quiet Markham neighbourhood earlier tonight!” said Farah Wadia on Twitter.
Wadia told Global News the bear was spotted on Saffron Street, near Bur Oak Avenue and Ninth Line at around 9:30 p.m.
York police told Global News that it isn’t uncommon for bears to make their way into the region during spring.
Police said they received a call about reports of a bear in the area at around 9 p.m.
Officers arrived and followed the beat until it hit green space north of Major Mackenzie Dr.
The three videos posted to her Twitter is from a neighbour, Wadia said.
“I saw all these lights and quickly put on the house alarm,” she said. “I thought there might be someone dangerous in the area. I looked out the window and saw five SUV cop cars.”
“I texted my neighbour and she told me her husband saw a baby bear just strolling up Saffron.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources was notified. Police said the bear posed no risk to public safety.