Bear In Petaluma: Police Lift Shelter-In-Place Orders

PETALUMA, CA — Shelter-in-place orders were lifted late Sunday night in Petaluma when a bear decided to come down from its perch in a tree.

The bear wandered into town early Sunday and was first sighted around 2:30 a.m. near I and 6th streets. Residents were told not to approach the bear but to shelter in place and keep their pets inside.

Around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, the bear was spotted near the 20 block of Raymond Heights and residents there were told to shelter in place.

Police instructed residents not to approach the bear but to call the police department if they saw it.

Around 9 a.m. Sunday, community members were told to avoid I Street between 6th and 8th streets because of the wildlife activity. Some roads closed were closed to car and foot traffic as state wildlife officers responded alongside Petaluma police.

Around noon, the large animal had climbed a tree and officials decided to give it some space and not tranquilize it for fear it would fall from the tree and get hurt.

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Shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, Petaluma police lifted the shelter-in-place orders and announced the bear had come down from a tree and appeared to be headed out of town.

It was last seen near Meadowglen Drive, heading toward the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. Still, residents of the area were encouraged to stay indoors for safety purposes.

Since then, there has been no word of further sightings.