Wild bear lets himself into Alaska Zoo

The young black bear let itself into the zoo. Photo / Thinkstock

The Alaska Zoo temporarily gained a new animal yesterday after a wild bear strayed into the grounds and made himself at home.

The Alaska Dispatch News reported zoogoers were turned away while the bear was up a tree by the tiger enclosure.

Estimated to be around two years old zoo staff suspect the bear was recently sent away from its family off on its own.

All of the animals, including the tigers and wolves, had to be moved into their dens.

"The tigers were very excited about the new resident. They were actually put into their nighttime dens. And the wolves were very curious," said Director of Development Jill Myer.

The bear eventually decided he'd seen enough and made his own way out of the zoo.

- nzherald.co.nz