Minnesota DNR rescues black bear stuck in snow, ice
A black bear stuck in a culvert in rural Wannaska, Minn. (Credit: Minnesota DNR)
(ABC 6 News) – A black bear found himself in quite the predicament when the culvert he was hibernating in became packed with snow and ice.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) found the bear along a road in rural Wannaska, located in the northern part of the state.
The DNR was able to get the bear out. A bear biologist with the DNR says melting snow can sometimes flood bears out of culverts and that occasionally bears do hibernate above ground.
The bear was examined after being rescued with the DNR saying he was “healthy, but groggy.” The DNR says the male bear is about 6 years old and weights 375-400 pounds.
The DNR safely relocated him to a state game sanctuary so that he can continue hibernating.