A wild bear in California has broken into a zoo and paid an unexpected visit to the bear enclosure.

In a Facebook post, the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka in the northern part of the state said its staff were conducting a routine inspection of part of the complex when they spotted a wild American black bear leaning on a gate and looking in at three captive black bears in their enclosure.

“The wild bear did not appear aggressive and was observed interacting with [the captive bears] through their habitat fencing,” the zoo said.

“At no point did the wild bear enter any animal habitats and, after a brief exploration of the enrichment items around the night house, the bear was safely coaxed back into the woods through a service gate.”

The bear is believed to have come from the wooded 60-acre (24-hectare) Sequoia park directly behind the zoo.

“Overall, he was a very polite visitor,” the zoo added. “He stayed on the boardwalk path, kept two feet on the ground and didn’t try to climb over the railings!”