A large black bear wandered into the Winchester Canyon neighborhood of Goleta Monday afternoon.
A large black bear wandered into the Winchester Canyon neighborhood of Goleta Monday afternoon. Credit: Tom Bolton / Noozhawk photo

A large black bear wandered into the Winchester Canyon neighborhood of western Goleta on Monday afternoon, giving a surprise to area residents.

The brownish-colored bruin was first reported at about 12:45 p.m. near Cathedral Oaks and Winchester Canyon roads.

Residents later spotted the bear on a hillside above Wagon Wheel Drive.

Several Goleta police units responded to the scene, and found the bear standing up on a branch in a eucalyptus tree, where it stayed for a time.

The animal remained there for a while, and state Fish & Wildlife officials were alerted.

Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story. 

— Noozhawk editor in chief Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.