Bear seen running in Goleta neighborhood captured on tape

On Tuesday, a Goleta resident driving in the area of N. Patterson Avenue and Randolph Road at 5:30 a.m. encountered a shocking site, and it was all caught on video.

A bear was seen running through the Goleta neighborhood, perhaps looking for food or water.

The resident said he’s seen coyotes and wild turkeys in the area before, but he’d never seen a bear in the neighborhood. He followed the bear in his car for some time before losing sight of it, all while capturing the moment on his cell phone.

Scroll down to watch the video

The video was shared with neighbors who said they’re now thinking twice about going for walks in the neighborhood.

While the bear looked cuddly and cute, wildlife officials warn the public to stay away because wild animals can pose a safety risk. They suggest anyone that encounters a bear in populated areas, call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife immediately.