Overview
- A bear climbed and became stranded on the crossarm of a charged utility pole east of Gladstone on Monday, July 20, where video shows it panting and struggling to hold its footing above high-voltage lines.
- Emergency dispatchers and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife told callers to leave the animal alone because tranquilizing a bear at height risked a fatal fall, and by the time a sheriff's deputy and a utility crew arrived the bear had been electrocuted and died.
- Officials said some members of the public stopped to film and take pictures at the scene, which they say prolonged the animal's stay on the pole and complicated response efforts.
- Passerby footage of the incident was verified by Storyful and reshared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the clip drew widespread attention and media coverage.
- Wildlife experts note bears sometimes climb poles like trees when startled and that safe rescues can require de-energizing lines and non-conductive tools, so authorities reiterated guidance to never approach or feed bears and to secure attractants at homes and farms.