SoCal Firefighters Rescue Mama Bear & Cubs Trapped in La Verne Water Tank

This SoCal Bear Rescue Was One Seriously Vital Bare Necessity

Right now’s Present Day-Developments comes with paws, firefighters and one very happy ending: Southern California first responders and wildlife officials pulled off a dramatic rescue after a mother black bear and her cubs became trapped inside a large water tank in La Verne.

The bears were discovered Saturday near the Marshall Canyon and Claremont Wilderness trail area after people nearby heard animals in distress. The family had apparently made its way into the concrete water structure through a small opening and then could not get back out.

With temperatures pushing into the upper 90s, the situation was no small thing. Officials said the bears had been inside the tank for hours and were exhausted. One cub managed to get out on its own before the full rescue was complete and stayed nearby while crews worked to free the rest of the family.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, La Verne Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department coordinated the response. Crews drained water from the tank to keep the animals from drowning, widened the opening and lowered a ladder inside so the bears could climb their way to safety.

And after a long, nerve-racking wait, the best possible update arrived: the bear family made it out safely. Officials also moved to secure the tank afterward so another curious wild family does not wind up in the same predicament.

So yes, today’s alarm really was an ultra-super-vital BARE NECESSITY. We are very merry to report that mama and her little fam bam are back where bears belong — out of the tank and back in the wild.

Watch SoCal Crews Rescue a Mother Bear and Cubs From a La Verne Water Tank

The rescue unfolded Saturday in La Verne after crews drained the tank, enlarged an opening and provided a ladder so the trapped bears could climb out.

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Los Angeles County Fire Department.