“Thank goodness it was at night,” and didn't have more people trying to follow it, enforcement Officer Patrick Brown said.

Brown instructed police officers to monitor the movement of the bear along Tenth and Carolina Streets “and have people leave it alone.”

Brown said the bear most likely wandered into the city as it followed a creek bed or stream as it looked for food or possibly a mate. It may have been pushed out by older bears in the woods or construction.

“It's definitely growing,” Brown said of the bear population in Halifax and Northampton counties.

The bear in question Wednesday night, Brown said, “Was either pushed out or either looking for a different food source,” and most likely trying to find its way back to the woods.

Bears, which locally typically come up around Chockoyette Creek, have been spotted frequently around Halifax Regional, Brown said.

Brown said if a bear is spotted don't approach it and don't try to photograph it. “Stay away. Bears get aggressive if they're trying to protect a food source or have cubs nearby. Just try to leave it alone.”

Authorities believe the bear most likely made its way back into the woods.