A bear was seen clinging to the top of a utility pole in rural Gladstone, New Mexico, on Monday, July 20, in a shocking incident that went viral after a traveler filmed it. The video, shared on X and reshared by the US Department of the Interior on Wednesday, July 22, racked up tens of thousands of views.
Viral Video Shows Bear on Power Pole
The jaw-dropping footage shows the bear gripping the power line pole with its front paws while its hind legs dangled. The Department of the Interior joked in its post, “We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn’t what we meant.” The video was verified as authentic.
Shannon Mullens, who witnessed the unusual sight, told Storyful she was traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Highway 56 when she spotted the animal. “We really didn’t believe what we saw at first, so we turned around to get another look,” Mullens said. “At first, we thought that the bear was dead, until we got closer to it and then we realized that he was still alive.”
911 Call Reveals Limited Options
A 911 caller behind the camera told the operator, “I’m calling to report a bear on top of a light pole.” The operator, who had already received reports, informed the caller that “I’ve already called Game and Fish, and they said there’s nothing that they can do.” The operator explained that if wildlife professionals tranquilized the bear, it would not survive the fall.
Bear Fatally Electrocuted
Tragically, the bear died some time later. The New Mexico Department of Fish and Wildlife said that despite the best efforts of local authorities, the animal was fatally electrocuted before it could have been helped. The incident highlights the dangers wildlife face near power infrastructure.
