A bear found clinging to the top of a 35-foot telephone pole near Clayton, New Mexico, was electrocuted and died before wildlife officials could intervene. The incident occurred on a Monday when a driver, Shannon Mullens, spotted the animal struggling to maintain its footing on the pole's crossarm.
Footage shared by witnesses showed the bear panting, appearing to be in distress as it balanced precariously at a significant height. Mullens reported that upon closer inspection, she realized the bear was alive. She contacted authorities, and a 911 operator advised her to leave the animal alone, stating that Game and Fish officials indicated they could not safely tranquilize the bear without risking a fall that could cause injury.
Wildlife specialists suggest that bears, particularly younger ones, may instinctively climb utility poles to escape perceived threats such as vehicles, humans, or dogs. In this instance, the bear remained atop the pole due to the presence of onlookers who continued to stop and film, according to a statement from the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife confirmed the bear's death. A spokesman for the department stated that while a sheriff's deputy, the power company, and department conservation officers were notified, the bear sustained fatal injuries before their arrival. The department also suggested that the actions of the public, stopping to take pictures, may have prevented the bear from descending on its own.
An animal advocacy group, World Animal News, criticized the handling of the situation, arguing that more should have been done to rescue the distressed animal. The organization called for improved responses to wildlife emergencies, emphasizing the need for prompt attention and all reasonable efforts to aid animals in distress.
A similar incident occurred in Arizona last year, where a bear climbed a telephone pole. In that case, a lineman was able to de-energize the equipment and coax the bear down safely using a fiberglass stick.