Bear wanders near Savonlinna primary school

A young bear was spotted near Pihlajaniemi primary school in Savonlinna around midday on Thursday, Yle reported.

A passer-by saw the bear at the edge of a wooded area behind the school, according to Inspector Hannu Virolainen of the Eastern Finland Police Department.

Police called in large-game assistance to drive the bear away. The operation was still under way.

No one has been in danger, Virolainen said, and children were able to return home safely from school. They were advised to avoid the fitness trail behind the school because the bear was near it.

Pihlajaniemi is a peninsula, and Virolainen said the young bear may have accidentally strayed close to residential areas after becoming disoriented in the confined area.