A 400-pound, six-year-old bear who had hunkered down for a long winter’s rest in northern Minnesota, had to be rescued earlier this month, after the culvert where he had been sleeping filled up with packed snow and ice.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the bear became stuck and had been spotted by concerned citizens near a Wannaska culvert.
Unfortunately, melting snow can sometimes flood bears out of culverts, and that’s what happened here. The bear has been examined by dnr bear biologist andrew trik and determined to be ‘healthy but groggy.
Minnesota DNR
Good Samaritans had tried to intervene and dig the bear out. They also offered him Pop Tarts, lettuce, cat food, bird seed, Swedish Fish and other foods – all of which could be potentially harmful to the bear’s health. The bear didn’t eat much of the offered treats, since near-hibernating bears have little appetite.
Although it was reported the bear had been lying in the culvert stuck for three days, the Minnesota DNR claimed they had known about the incident and had been hoping nature would solve the issue. Typically bears can escape on their own, but this time the bear got himself into a jam.
The DNR team used a syringe pole to inject the bear with an anesthetic, and with the help of five strong guys, they were able to free his stuck leg. The bear was treated for some minor injuries and transferred to a sanctuary where he can continue hibernating until Spring.
And a sweet good night to you Mr. Bear.
Photos Minnesota DNR
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