In Custer County, Colorado, a young bear was safely brought down after being found perched on a power pole, and crews shut off electricity before the rescue.
Authorities told KKTV that the incident comes amid a drought-driven rise in local bear sightings, a problem familiar across the West.
Here's what to know
Along Rosita Road near the county landfill, deputies said, the bear was spotted high on a power pole, the Custer County Sheriff's Office (@CCSOAdmin) revealed in a Facebook post. The post showed pictures of the vulnerable bear camped out high above the ground.
To get it down, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association crews first brought in a bucket truck and de-energized the line, the post caption noted. After the rescue, the bear was moved to Colorado Parks and Wildlife's rehabilitation facility in Del Norte, the Sheriff's Office added.
Officials said people in the area may continue to see bears until December, when hibernation is expected to begin. The post added that the upsurge in public sightings is due to the ongoing drought, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Krall.
Officials said the danger has been serious for local bears in the region. The caption noted that one juvenile bear was hit by a car, while another died after being electrocuted on the same pole.
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More background
When drought limits access to natural food and water sources, bears may range farther into roadsides, utility corridors, and other developed areas.
Power poles can become deadly hazards, while road crossings can quickly turn fatal for wildlife. More bear sightings can also raise concerns about pets, property, and personal safety.
The bear was found on a utility pole near a landfill and a roadway, all features of a human landscape that can shape where animals go and what dangers they face.
What's being done?
Unlike the other bear incidents reported in the area, this one ended with the animal taken to a rehabilitation facility in Del Norte after deputies, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and utility crews worked together to cut power and bring it down.
Wildlife officials said bears may continue showing up in the area until hibernation.
That can up the importance of securing trash, bringing in pet food, and giving any bear plenty of space instead of approaching it. Drivers also have reason to use extra caution on roads where wildlife may be crossing.
It's clear in Colorado that dry conditions push wildlife deeper into human spaces and raise the stakes for animals and communities alike.
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