A heartbreaking update has emerged after a black bear that went viral for becoming stranded atop a utility pole in rural New Mexico.
Keep reading to learn more.
The bear was first spotted on Monday, July 20, perched dozens of feet above the ground on a wooden utility pole near Highway 56 outside Clayton. Shannon Mullens and her family were driving through the area when they initially believed they had seen a dead animal. After turning around for another look, they realized the bear was still alive and appeared exhausted and distressed.
Mullens contacted authorities and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, while other motorists stopped to photograph the unusual scene. Videos of the bear quickly spread across social media, attracting widespread attention and concern for its safety.
Many viewers questioned why officials could not simply tranquilize the animal and bring it safely back to the ground. Wildlife experts, however, explained that doing so could have been extremely dangerous. Because the bear was perched high above the ground, a tranquilizer would likely have caused it to lose consciousness within minutes, potentially resulting in a fatal fall from the pole.
Officials instead hoped the bear would eventually climb down on its own once the area became quiet. Bears are known to climb trees and other structures when frightened, and experts suggested that traffic, barking dogs, and crowds of curious onlookers may have contributed to the animal becoming stranded.
Unfortunately, as news of the bear spread, more people reportedly stopped along the highway to watch, photograph, and film it. The increased activity may have caused the frightened animal to remain on the pole longer, making a safe descent even more difficult.
The situation was further complicated by the live electrical lines surrounding the bear. For utility workers to safely intervene, power would have needed to be shut off and emergency crews would have had to coordinate a rescue without further frightening the animal.
Eventually, the exhausted bear attempted to make its way down from the pole. During the descent, however, it came into contact with live electrical equipment and was electrocuted. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish later confirmed the animal’s death.
The news devastated many people who had followed the bear’s story online and hoped it would be rescued. Some questioned whether authorities could have done more, while others criticized the crowds that gathered to watch the animal.
One person wrote, “There wasn’t ever any intention on cutting the power. All agencies involved chose to leave it there to sort itself out. I understand they couldn’t have done much with it at that height, but they should’ve at least cut the power imo.” Another asked, “We can land rockets but can’t save a bear from a pole?”
The tragedy also highlighted how difficult these situations can be for wildlife officials. While the public may assume that a tranquilizer dart is an easy solution, experts say sedation at significant heights can create an even greater danger for an animal that could fall before rescuers have a chance to intervene.
Similar incidents have ended differently in the past. In 2021, a young black bear became stranded on a 40-foot power pole near Willcox, Arizona, close to a 7,200-volt power line. In that case, officials were able to shut off the electricity before a utility worker safely encouraged the bear down from the pole.
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