A bear died from electrocution after becoming stranded atop a high-voltage utility pole in Union County, New Mexico, on Monday, July 20. The animal was electrocuted while attempting to descend from the pole, according to wildlife officials cited by usatoday.com.
Incident and Public Response
The incident occurred east of Gladstone, approximately 270 kilometers east of Santa Fe, around 10 a.m. local time. Passerby Robin Dawson, who was driving along Highway 56, reported seeing the bear at the top of a charged power pole and stated he was the first to call 911. Dawson told usatoday.com that he waited over 30 minutes for authorities to arrive, but no one did. When he called for an update, he was informed that Fish and Game would not intervene, as the bear would come down when ready.
Other motorists also stopped to document the scene. Shannon Mullens, who was traveling from Red River, New Mexico, to Oklahoma, captured video footage of the bear panting with its hind paws dangling in the air while hanging from the pole amid power lines. Mullens initially believed the bear was dead before realizing it was alive upon closer inspection, according to tbsnews.net.
Official Statements and Rescue Challenges
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife confirmed the authenticity of the video and stated that the reporting party and local dispatch were instructed to tell citizens to leave the bear alone so it could descend on its own. The agency claimed that some members of the public continued to stop and film the animal, which caused the bear to remain at the top of the pole. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, the power company, and wildlife department conservation officers were all notified, but the bear died before they could reach it.
Emergency dispatchers explained to callers that immediate intervention was deemed too dangerous. According to tbsnews.net and other reports, officials noted that tranquilizing the bear while it was on the pole could have caused it to fall from a great height, resulting in a fatal impact.
Context on Bear Behavior and Past Incidents
Wildlife experts state that bears may climb utility poles when they are startled by dogs, traffic, or people, treating the poles similarly to trees to escape danger. The New Mexico wildlife department further noted that bears have wandered into surrounding communities and as far as Albuquerque during the late summer and fall in search of food.
This event follows a similar incident in December 2025 in Cochise County, Arizona. In that case, a black bear was successfully rescued by a power line technician named Werner Neubauer. According to aol.com, Neubauer de-energized the equipment and used a fiberglass stick to encourage the bear to climb down safely.
Summary of Events
| Date | Location | Outcome | Primary Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 20 | Union County, NM (East of Gladstone) | Deceased | Electrocution during descent attempt |
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