Black bear spotted in the High Desert in an Oak Hills neighborhood

When Karon Lee Pierce-Warner received a notification that her motion-activated game camera had been triggered, she figured it must be one of the more common native residents who call the Mojave Desert home.

Her camera had spotted hawks, coyotes and rabbits before in her backyard. What she saw on her phone, however, was different: A tawny bear ambling down a dirt path.

“We don't have any animals outside. So I thought it was cool,” Pierce-Warner said of seeing the animal. “I did call all of my neighbors so they could make sure their animals were inside.”

The bear was captured roaming Monday morning in an Oak Hills neighborhood near the intersection of Braceo and Jenny Streets, an area with homes on several-acre lots but not in mountainous territory.

Wildlife biologist Chanelle Davis identified the animal as an American black bear, which is the only species that exists in California.

Although named as such, the bears “can range in color from jet black to blonde,” said Davis who works for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“It is hard to judge accurately from the picture,” she added. “It appears to be a young adult. Although there are always exceptions, most females will top out at 200 pounds while males can exceed 500 pounds.”

While black bears are more likely found in mountain areas and forests, the species has expanded its range throughout the state.

In southwestern California, scientists believe black bears were excluded from living there by the California grizzly bear, which went extinct in the 1920s following decades of hunting.

Black bears are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything including plants, insects, dead animals, berries, grasses, garbage and human and pet food.

About 30,000 to 40,000 bears are estimated to be living in the state currently.

Davis said though “it is not a daily occurrence,” bears have been seen in the High Desert on “several occasions in recent years.”

Last year in November, a bear was spotted roaming the streets of Victorville. Sadly, the animal was struck by a car and died before authorities could subdue it.

In 2019, a male bear climbed a 25-foot tree sitting in front of an Apple Valley home. This time, officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were able to tranquilize the 185-pound bear, which fell to the ground but was reportedly uninjured.

He was hydrated, tagged and returned to the Silverwood Lake area where he's believed to have hailed from.

Experts advise removing attractants such as trash, bird seed or pet food if a bear is spotted near a home.

If a person encounters a bear, they should try to make loud noises to scare it away before backing away slowly. Running may trigger a bear to chase someone.

Pierce-Warner, the Oak Hills homeowner, said she’d lived in the area for a year and enjoyed “everything nature has brought to our yard,” like two bobcats which were seen frequently strolling up her driveway.

But the photograph of a bear in her backyard has made her more alert.

“We will be taking precautions when we are outside,” she said. “Bear spray on my belt and not letting the grandkids out without our supervision.”

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Black bear spotted in the High Desert in Oak Hills neighborhood