A bear in rural New Mexico became a sensation after a video showed it climbing a utility pole. The event happened near Gladstone, about 170 miles east of Santa Fe, and led to widespread interest online.
The video, recorded on a Monday, captured the bear trying to balance on the pole’s crossarm while panting. The bear’s struggle was compared to unintended enthusiasm for American energy by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which shared the clip.
We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn’t what we meant.
The video includes audio of a 911 call reporting the bear’s precarious position. The caller expressed concern as the dispatcher noted state officials had been alerted. Tranquilizing the bear wasn’t an option due to the risk of it falling.
Shannon Mullens, who recorded the video, was traveling through the area with her family and initially mistook the bear for dead. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was alive, clinging to the pole.
Unfortunately, the bear was electrocuted before wildlife officials could rescue it, as reported by the New York Post. Experts note that bears sometimes climb poles to escape perceived threats, much like they climb trees.
An earlier incident in Arizona in 2021 saw a bear safely rescued after a similar pole climb. Such events highlight both the dangers bears face near human developments and the unexpected situations they encounter.
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