Hearing branches rustling in a tree usually doesn’t raise much concern. Birds, squirrels, and other small creatures often move about among the leaves.
But spotting an animal so large that it took up nearly a third of the tree is something neighbors in Salt Lake City, Utah, never expected to see.
At first, residents were shocked when they realized what was perched above them. Soon, however, it became clear that the unexpected visitor needed help, so they quickly contacted rescuers.
Mission To Save A Surprising Visitor
Once the call came in, teams from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Salt Lake City Fire Department, the Parks Department, and the Police Department rushed to the scene.
The animal in question turned out to be a two-year-old bear that had climbed into the tree and was unable to come down.
Everyone on site wondered how the bear had ended up in such an unusual location, but wildlife experts had an answer.
“Our biologists believe it may have migrated to the lower elevation area looking for food and water,” the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wrote in a Facebook post. “It’s not unusual to see bears migrating around after hibernation, and occasionally, they will end up in residential areas.”
Even with that explanation, this case was far from ordinary. Rescuers admitted that they had never dealt with a bear inside the city itself, though similar rescues sometimes happened in the nearby canyons.
Still, the teams were prepared and ready to work together to bring the bear down safely.
The combined team of rescuers acted carefully. They tranquilized the bear to ensure he would not harm himself or anyone else. Once the sedative took effect, they were able to bring him out of the tree and transport him to a waiting truck.
With the animal now secure, the mission could be considered a success.
A Return To The Wild
After relocation, the team performed a quick health check to make sure the bear had not been injured. Once they were confident he was in good condition, it was time to return him to his natural environment.
As the bear bounded back into the wild, the rescuers felt a deep sense of pride.
For them, watching the animal run free once again was the perfect reminder of why they do what they do.
There is no greater reward than knowing a life has been saved.