Overview
- The bear climbed to the top of a utility pole in Cochise County and was at risk of electrocution.
- Lineman Werner J. Neubauer de-energized the equipment and used a fiberglass stick from a lift bucket to guide the bear down.
- Video shows the animal resisting attempts to help before descending safely, briefly approaching another pole, then running off.
- Arizona Game and Fish reports more bear activity near neighborhoods due to limited natural food sources in the mountains and has issued encounter guidance.
- In a separate case in Sunnyvale, California, firefighters cut power so a cat’s owner could retrieve his pet from a telephone pole, highlighting similar coordinated rescues.