Bear Falls From Tree During Rescue in Arkansas Neighborhood
A bear fell from a tree after wildlife specialists tranquilized the animal to remove it from a residential neighborhood in Russellville, Arkansas, on June 2.
Speaking to Storyful, the Russellville Police Department said they had received numerous phone calls on Thursday about a bear roaming around the neighborhood and notified specialists from Arkansas Game and Fish to help.
Video taken by Kimmy Stephens shows the black bear stuck cradled between branches in a tree roughly 30 feet above ground as police officers and rescuers isolated the area.
Fifteen minutes after rescuers shot the bear with a tranquilizer quill, the animal fell from the tree onto a tarp, where the rescue team was then able to examine the bear for injuries.
According to Russellville Police Department, the bear has since been safely relocated outside city limits. Credit: Kimmy Stephens via Storyful
Video transcript
- He's got to be almost done.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Well, he just tried to reposition himself to hold on. He's trying really hard. Oh, my gosh.
- Holy smokes.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Oh, my gosh. Oh no, baby.
- Oh, it's over with. It's over with.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Oh, no. Oh, oh, his head just fell back. He's asleep. He is asleep. Oh, my gosh.
- Oh, my goodness.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Oh, my gosh.
- He's wobbling.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Oh, honey.
- [GASPS]
[BANG]
KIMMY STEPHENS: Holy--
- Oh, my goodness.
[DISTANT LAUGHTER]
KIMMY STEPHENS: Oh, he's still alive. He's still moving. They're laughing.
- Holy smokes.
KIMMY STEPHENS: They are all laughing. I'm so-- this is so funny.
- He's going to lay down over there.
KIMMY STEPHENS: There's somebody way back there. Where is he?
- You OK?
- Yeah, I'm good.
- He's trying to get out of there. [LAUGHS] It's like, you just fell down.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Can you see him? They can probably see him, right?
- Man down.
- Bear down.
KIMMY STEPHENS: Did you see him when he walked away?
