Bear Climbs Utility Pole in New Mexico, Dies After Viral Encounter

This week, a bear became the center of attention after a video went viral, showing it scaling a utility pole in rural New Mexico, only to tragically die following the unusual event.

The footage, recorded on Monday near Gladstone—about 270 miles east of Santa Fe—captures the bear precariously balanced on a telephone pole arm, appearing to pant as it struggles to keep its footing.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Interior shared the video, humorously remarking, “While we appreciate America’s enthusiasm for energy dominance, this is not what we were trying to say.”

The New Mexico Wildlife Department and the Department of the Interior have not responded to requests for comments regarding the incident.

The video, which was reviewed by Storyful, includes a 911 call from someone reporting the strange sight. “I’d like to report a bear on a telephone pole,” the caller informed the dispatcher.

A dispatcher stated that local authorities were already aware of the situation. However, they noted that tranquilizing the bear while it was on the pole might lead to a fall.

Shannon Mullens, who filmed the encounter, explained that she and her family were traveling to Oklahoma along Highway 56 from Red River, New Mexico, when they first thought they spotted a dead bear. “I really couldn’t believe what I saw the first time, so I decided to take another look,” she recounted.

Initially, they thought the bear was dead. It wasn’t until they got closer that they realized it was still alive. Unfortunately, the bear got electrocuted and died before wildlife officials could successfully intervene.

Wildlife specialists have mentioned that bears sometimes climb utility poles when startled by humans, vehicles, or dogs, using them similarly to trees while fleeing from perceived threats. In a different instance in Arizona in 2021, wildlife officials successfully rescued a bear that had climbed a telephone pole.