Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers Rescue Bear Cub Stuck in Fence

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers executed a dramatic rescue of a black bear cub entangled in wire fencing in Evergreen, Colorado. The cub's mother, helplessly watching from a nearby tree, was tranquilized to ensure the safety of both the cub and the rescuers.

The rescue, documented on video and shared by CPW's Northeast Region on social media, involved carefully cutting the wiring to free the cub. Officers used a catchpole—a stick with a cabled loop—to keep the cub in place during the delicate operation. The cub's cries were audible while the team worked swiftly to release it.

After the cub was freed, CPW officers took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of both bears. They utilized K9 Officer Samson to haze the mother and cub away from the dangerous fencing, preventing them from returning to the area. The mother and cub were safely reunited shortly after the rescue.

Why this matters: This rescue highlights the importance of wildlife management and community awareness in preventing dangerous encounters between humans and wildlife. If not addressed, such incidents can lead to harm or even death for both humans and animals, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure safety and coexistence.

CPW officials described the event as a 'complicated rescue with a happy ending!' The incident highlights the risks wildlife face when venturing into human-populated areas and the critical role of wildlife officers in ensuring their safety.

Brenda Lee, founder of the Colorado Bear Coalition, emphasized the importance of preventing such encounters by removing incentives for bears to enter human yards. 'We don’t need to artificially feed birds. So, how can we do that in a more natural way that fits their biology better?' Lee suggested using plants that birds can eat but bears don't like and recommended pulling bird feeders in from April to October.

Lee also noted that relocating bears is not ideal because they may face potential threats from other bears in new habitats. Instead, she advised communities to focus on deterrents like electric fencing around chicken coops or bee hives to keep bears at bay.

The successful rescue of the bear cub in Evergreen highlights the importance of wildlife management and community awareness in preventing dangerous encounters between bears and humans. By taking proactive measures, such incidents can be minimized, ensuring the safety of both wildlife and residents.

Key Takeaways

• CPW officers rescued a black bear cub entangled in wire fencing in Evergreen, CO on June 1, 2024.
• The cub's mother was tranquilized to ensure safety during the rescue.
• K9 Officer Samson was used to haze the bears away from the fencing after the rescue.
• The incident highlights the importance of wildlife management and community awareness in preventing human-wildlife conflicts.
• Experts recommend using deterrents like electric fencing and removing incentives for bears to enter human yards.