Bear interrupts graduation ceremony

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 1 (UPI) -- A black bear interrupted a California elementary school's water-gun party and drew stares from an outdoor graduation ceremony at the adjacent middle school.

Bakersfield School District officials said the young bear, estimated to weigh about 200 pounds, was seen roaming through the parking lot of Ramon Garza Elementary School Thursday morning, and more than 75 fifth-graders having a water-gun party on the playground had to be rushed inside as the bear approached the school's fence, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The animal caught stares from more than 600 parents attending a graduation ceremony on the Sierra Middle School side of a chain-link fence.

"The bear got on scene, there was graduation going on and he was not an invited guest," said Kim Rodriguez with Kern County Animal Control. "He felt like he was unwelcome, so he left."

The bear climbed the fence onto the empty playground and only stayed for a brief moment before climbing back over the fence and fleeing to a nearby apartment complex, where it was captured and taken to the local Animal Control facility.