A driver in New Mexico was left scratching their head after spotting a sight so strange they couldn’t quite believe what they were looking at. Viral footage from inside a vehicle shows a large brown bear perched atop a power pole while the driver can be heard speaking to a 911 operator.
Bears can get themselves into strange predicaments, and it’s common to see bizarre bear videos online from time to time. The video in question has received almost half a million views on X, where it was shared by the US Department of the Interior. “We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn’t what we meant.” The department joked in the post.
We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn't what we meant. https://t.co/FpfmUn6PYh
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) July 22, 2026
In the video, the bear can be seen balancing on top of the tall pole with its hind legs hanging off. “At first, we thought that the bear was dead,” witness Shannon Mullens told Storyful. However, in the footage, the bear can clearly be seen panting and shifting its weight a little.
In the age of AI-generated content, it’s sensible to question the authenticity of such a video; however, the clip has since been verified, reports the New York Post.
The response from authorities
In the clip, the person calling 911 can be heard saying, “I’m on Highway 56,” to which the operator responds, “Are you calling about a bear?” Apparently, other people had already made calls reporting the bear, and it seemed emergency services were aware of the situation.
Unfortunately, the operator tells the caller that they had already called Game and Fish and they had told her “there’s nothing that they can do.” She tells the caller to “just leave it be.” She explains that, while the bear could be tranquilized, that would most likely end with it falling to the ground and dying anyway.
While it may seem unlikely, this isn’t even the first time a bear has gotten itself into such a predicament. In 2021, a bear in Arizona was spotted clinging to the top of a utility pole in Arizona. In that case, the electricity was shut off, and a worker ascended in a bucket lift and used an 8ft fiberglass rod to poke the bear until it eventually climbed down to safety.
While authorities may have used the same method in New Mexico, they unfortunately never got the chance. This most recent case did not have a happy ending, and the bear sadly passed away some time after the 911 call. The New Mexico Department of Fish and Wildlife informed the New York Post that despite efforts from local authorities, the bear was fatally electrocuted before anyone could do anything to help it.
