23.07.2026 09:50
A bear that climbed to the top of an electricity pole in the U.S. state of New Mexico became stranded high in the air. A rescue operation for the animal, believed to have climbed the pole after being startled by environmental factors, could not be carried out. Officials could not intervene, citing that using a tranquilizer dart could cause severe injuries from a high fall. At the end of the helpless wait, the bear touched the wires and was electrocuted, dying.
A driver traveling on a highway in the U.S. state of New Mexico encountered a tragi-comic scene they would never forget.
While driving on Highway 56, a woman noticed a massive bear stranded at the top of a telephone and power pole. She recorded the moments second by second with her cell phone camera. The footage quickly went viral on social media and international news.
A DESPERATE WAIT AT THE TOP OF THE POLE
The footage clearly shows a large bear tightly gripping the crossbar of a wooden pole just below the power lines, struggling to balance at a height of several meters.
Unable to hide her astonishment at the sight, the driver initially thought the bear might be dead. When she saw the animal move, she immediately reported the situation to the 911 emergency service.
HELPLESS RESPONSE FROM AUTHORITIES
In the 911 call captured in the video, the operator advises the woman to leave the bear alone and move away from the area. The emergency service official states they are already in contact with the Game and Fish Department but adds that there is nothing that can be done at this stage.
The operator explains that they cannot intervene because using a tranquilizer dart to safely bring the bear down could cause the animal to fall from a great height onto a hard surface, resulting in much more severe injuries.
WENT VIRAL IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA: UNFORTUNATELY ENDED TRAGICALLY
This incident, which quickly spread through American local media and international news agencies, unfortunately ended in a tragic outcome. According to details in the international press, the unfortunate bear stranded at the top of the pole was electrocuted and died before authorities could organize a safe rescue operation. Wildlife experts emphasize that when bears are startled by loud traffic noises, people, or dogs, they instinctively climb such dangerous power poles as if they were trees in an attempt to escape the threat.