Zoology students at the University of West Florida could have embarked on a field trip Friday after university officials sent out notice that a bear had been spotted on the Pensacola campus.

The school alerted students and faculty that a bear had been spotted near the cross-country trails which are accessible through the Rec Plex North/Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Officials said the bear was alone and did not approach any humans in the area. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission was immediately notified.

Students and faculty were reminded to stay clear of this or any bear and to contact campus police if one is spotted. The school also offered tips on what to do in the event of an encounter with a bear:

• Remain standing upright
• Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice
• Back up slowly toward a secure area, leaving the bear a clear escape route
• Avoid direct eye contact — bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior
• Stop and hold your ground if moving away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear