Black Bear Dies After Being Electrocuted on Utility Pole in New Mexico

A black bear has died after being electrocuted while stranded on a utility pole carrying high-voltage power lines in Union County, New Mexico.

The incident occurred on July 20, leaving witnesses devastated after watching the animal struggle to free itself before it lost its life.

The bear was first spotted by Shannon Mullens, who said she and her fiancé, Dawson, came across the animal in a rural part of the county.

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Recalling the moment they found the bear, Mullens said:

“At first, we thought that the bear was dead, until we got closer to it and then we realized that he was still alive.”

According to Mullens, her fiancé immediately contacted the authorities after seeing the bear trapped on the pole. However, they were informed that there was little that could be done because of the danger posed by the high-voltage power lines and were advised to leave the area.

The bear was seen clinging to the utility pole, which carried 7,200-volt electrical wires approximately 22 feet above the ground. Witnesses said the animal appeared exhausted as it panted heavily and struggled to find stable footing with its paws and legs.

Before emergency responders arrived, the bear was electrocuted and fell onto the roadway below.

Officers later arrived at the scene, and a conservation officer from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish removed the animal’s carcass.

Speaking to The New York Times, Mullens described the experience as both shocking and heartbreaking.

She said:

“We just felt helpless. There was nothing we could do to help the guy out.”

She added:

“Even after I got home, I could not get that bear out of my head.”

“And hearing that the bear didn’t make it was heartbreaking.”

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers wildlife can face when coming into contact with electrical infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where animals may inadvertently climb utility poles while searching for food or attempting to cross obstacles.

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A New Mexico community was in for an unusual sight this week when travelers spotted a bear stranded on top of a utility pole.

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