Rangers free young bear
A bear cub was rescued from a tree in northern Italy in a delicate operation. The operation was particularly challenging because the mother was nearby with another bear cub, the forest corps of the Province of Trento announced.
The men of the Trentino Forest Corps, with the support of a helicopter unit, rescued a bear cub that had become stuck between two trees in the Val di Jon, in the municipality of San Lorenzo Dorsino.
The operation was particularly delicate, not least because the mother was present alongside the cub, which was less than a year old and could no longer move. After being freed, the cub reached its mother without any physical harm.
Young brown bears are already good climbers. Whether they can get back down from a tree on their own is another matter entirely.
After rangers heard a whimpering sound, they discovered the bear, which was less than a year old, up in the tree. They immediately arrived with saws. According to the statement, they proceeded with particular caution and approached by helicopter, as a mother bear with cubs could become aggressive and attack. Once the sawing was done, the bear cub tumbled somewhat roughly to the ground and immediately ran towards its mother, apparently uninjured.
An armed colleague and two dog units had continuously monitored the ranger's safety — in constant radio contact with the helicopter that oversaw the operation from above, the forest authority stated.
The Trentino region is home to a relatively large number of brown bears following a reintroduction programme.
