Weary Mamma Bear Lets Wildlife Officials Free Tangled Cub

LAKE TAHOE, CA — Some California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and biologists braved the nervous wrath of a mamma black bear Thursday to rescue her cub after it became entangled in a soccer net at a park in the Lake Tahoe area.

The drama unfolded early Thursday morning in the Northern California's most popular mountain resort community.

The wildlife department received a call about a bear cub tangled in a soccer net at Kings Beach park.

"When our team arrived, they found the cub stuck—closely guarded by a very protective mama bear," the agency wrote on Facebook.

Wildlife officials worked to keep the big bear calm, so that they could free her tangled cub.

"With some careful teamwork to loosen the net and make sure the mama bear gave them safe space they needed to work, Wildlife Officers and Biologists safely freed the cub in just over 5 minutes. The little one darted up a nearby tree, and after a quick reunion, both bears wandered peacefully back into the wild."

The wildlife agency also credited partners at California State Park for helping to keep the bears calm.

The rescue drew immediate praise from resident across the Golden State.

"That is so cool," Lucille M. Hurley wrote on Facebook. "No anesthesia needed just cool calm patient teamwork."

"It’s all fun and games until someone gets caught in the soccer net. Thank you everyone who got involved to help this baby bear," added Bella Danielle Ramsey. "I am sure the mom was stressed out as well but glad they’re back together and they’re both OK!!"

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