This is the moment a giant black bear storms onto a children’s football training pitch, bringing the session to an abrupt end as young players and coaches watch from a distance.
The incident happened at the Sporti Valle Poniente sports complex in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on the night of Tuesday, 10th March.
The black bear, measuring about two metres (6.5 feet) in height, wandered onto the pitch at around 8:30pm while children from Club Pumas Football were taking part in a training session.
Video shows the animal walking across the pitch as players, coaches and parents keep their distance for safety.
In the footage, people can be heard shouting warnings as the bear approaches and moves through the sports area.
The animal is seen crossing the training field and heading towards one of the goals while those present remain on the sidelines watching.
Training was immediately suspended as a precaution. No injuries or other incidents were reported and the bear eventually left the area.
The sports fields are located near natural areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental in the Monterrey metropolitan region, including locations such as the Mirador UDEM viewpoint and an area known as La Cara del Indio, where wildlife is commonly seen.
Authorities and wildlife specialists have previously warned that sightings of American black bears (Ursus americanus), which are endemic to North America, in urban areas around Monterrey have become more frequent due to the close proximity of residential neighbourhoods to protected natural habitats.
Earlier this year, on 28th January, residents in the Las Privanzas neighbourhood in the same municipality reported a bear wandering near homes.
Civil Protection personnel in Nuevo Leon responded to that incident and secured the area while monitoring the animal to avoid contact with residents.
Authorities advise people who encounter wildlife such as bears to keep their distance and report sightings to environmental or civil protection officials.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Aloysius Fernandes, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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