Moving day [All photos by Talia Flores – Humboldt Bay Fire]
This morning, southbound traffic on Broadway experienced slowdowns due to an unexpected rescue operation conducted by Humboldt Bay Fire (HBF) near Pierson’s Building Supply at the south end of Eureka. Both lanes of traffic remained open but many motorists slowed in an effort to get discover just what was happening in the tree just south of the building center entrance.
Humboldt Bay Fire personnel probably didn’t imagine ‘bear rescue’ was on the agenda for today.
The traffic commotion involved a mama bear and her cub two cubs located in the tree. Earlier, motorists reported a mama bear and a cub two cubs attempting to cross Broadway, a section of Highway 101 within the Eureka City limits. Crossing from the west to east side of the roadway, the mama bear led the way but her wayward cubs, perhaps spooked by traffic, made a U-turn and scaled the tree. Noticing their desertion, the mama bear followed suit, climbing the tree to join her cubs under the cover of the branches.
Fish & Wildlife officers coordinated the relocation operation.
Humboldt Bay Fire was called to assist the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in safely removing the bears from their precarious position. The operation was delicate, aimed at ensuring no harm came to the animals or the responders involved.
According to Talia Flores, Public Information Officer for Humboldt Bay Fire, the rescue team initiated the plan by tranquilizing the mother bear. Once the tranquilizer took effect, HBF personnel raised their aerial ladder to gain access to the bears. A few limbs were cut to improve reach and visibility, allowing rescuers to safely retrieve the cubs first. The cubs were was removed without injury, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the personnel involved.
Following the successful retrieval of the cubs, the team turned their attention to the mama bear. Ensuring she was securely positioned, the rescuers used the aerial ladder to bring her down safely. All three The bears were then carefully placed into a truck for transport.
According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the bears are categorized as “no harm, no foul” animals, indicating they had not caused any significant damage or posed a serious threat. According to Flores, the Fish and Wildlife agents stated they had approved relocation sites designated but were awaiting approval on their preferred option to relocate the mom and cub
s to a state park location.
In addition to Humboldt Bay Fire, the operation saw the involvement of Fish and Wildlife agents, Eureka Police Department officers, and Humboldt Bay’s Volunteer Fire Support crew, who provided traffic control during the operation.
While traffic delays often stem from mundane reasons, Humboldt County’s occasional congestion, such as today’s bear rescue operation, adds a touch of wild unpredictability to the region’s roads, reminding commuters of the untamed beauty that surrounds them.
Note: Though initial reports stated that two bear cubs climbed the tree prior to the mama bear, subsequent information indicated that only one bear cub was recovered from the tree in addition to the mama bear.
At this time, it is unclear if one of the bear cubs ran elsewhere or if there was only ever a single cub. We have reached out to officials at the scene for more bear cub details.
Update 6/11/24: Eureka Police Department Public Information Officer, Laura Montagna clarified that despite an initial report of two cubs, there was only a single cub accompanied by the mama bear.
Additionally, Montagna reported that the mama bear and cub were safely relocated to a forested area on BLM land off of Highway 299. “They’re doing great,” the EPD representative stated, “All is well.”
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Nice! Black bears are incredible animals. Thank god society has evolved. In the old days, the local oakies probably would have just blasted the mama out of the tree and made sausage, while the cubs would have been used for a canned hunt or dog hunting practice. Guess there finally is a use for a New York City ladder truck.
It actually comes in handy if they need to block an entire street around an accident. Also, bear rescues.
Good job.
Why didnt they leave them alone. Theyd be gone after sunset.
Might have… or they might have been hit by a car. Dunno on that one.
At least the wardens got a bit of work… and the Eureka fire ladder too.
—
Oh well.
I agree – pretty much a “win” all around. The bears are safely relocated away from town; the fire & game folks got to practice under challenging conditions; and they both got some good PR.
Just protecting the bears from people.
That’s worth considering, but…
3030
Still lookin for that old landfill.
In the 90s there was a huge bear population at that landfill then they filled it in but the beats have generational memory!
Pretty damn impressive rescue! Nice work.
We love our wildlife ❤
Just saw a 2 dayish old fawn running on the road, please everyone slow down ITS BABY CRITTER TIME!!!
Lets do our part to help them survive.
Landfill down there ? Eh ?
Kneeland (1950’s).. Table Bluff (1960-1970)… Ryan Slough (1970’s 80’s).
All were closed due to ‘runoff’ issues.
Then there was a very old one (1890’s) at the end of Del Norte st, and north to 14th st.
And one (very old one) out by Brainard Bluff.
the man knows his dump site history ,,,, impressive
These are the same bears that have been running around Pine Hill, Ridgewood, the golf course and Headwaters for a couple of years. People know all about them and they’ve gotten into more than a few trash cans or tore up fruit trees in yards. Nobody wants to see them gone or hurt, just put back where they are usually seen at. There is A TON OF GARBAGE….scratch that….TONS of garbage from transient activity all along the brush following the Hiksari trail behind there. I know. I’ve cleaned up some of it. It’s scary. It would not surprise me that bears found this a treasure trove of things to eat after the humans discarded it all nearby. That’s the only reason I can think of why they’d come out of the woods and cross over to there as I can’t think of anyone that’s seen them beyond Pine Hill, going north.
We live out here across from the Samia drag strip, nearby the Coast guard station, and for the first time EVER, one of the neighbors just took a photo of a Mama Bear, wearing a red collar, followed by one cub, walking in residential area, in broad day light.
A majority of the neighborhood residents, out of approx 40 homes, have lived here for over 5 decades, and no one has ever heard of a bear sighting in this area ever.
I don’t have the photo, but as soon as I do, I’ll pass it on. At least Mama Bear had a pretty Red collar.
The real story here is that Fish n Game did something. I’m sure only because the story hit the local media and forced them to. Try calling their general phone number to ask a question. The first thing you get is a recording of like 25 things they DON’T do. If that doesn’t discourage you enough then you have to leave a voicemail for an intern to call you back. Then, the next day when they do call you talk to some untrained student who has no idea what they’re talking about.
Well done to all involved. This was no easy task, in fact, I might say it could have been one of the most technical and dangerous rescue I have heard about in some time.
Nice to see a very happy ending!
I blame Pierson’s. I mean, they DID have that beautiful nursery, so open and inviting! ? ? Apparently, it was much too realistic, so much so that the bears wanted to make it their new home.
Why can’t we do the same to the primitivists shuffling along 101?
I’d rather see bears than bums
As reported on LoCo, per Laura Montagna there was only one cub, not two.
Laura who ?