Bear Tragically Electrocuted After Climbing New Mexico Utility Pole

WHO:

Fox News - Shannon Mullens stated, "At first, we thought that the bear was dead, until we got closer to it, and then we realized that he was still alive."

Fox News - The bear involved in the incident.

Fox News - Shannon Mullens, the individual who recorded the video of the bear.

Fox News - The U.S. Department of the Interior, which re-shared the video.

Fox News - The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, which was notified about the incident.

WHAT:

Fox News - The bear was reported to have been electrocuted and died before wildlife officials could safely rescue it, according to the New York Post.

Fox News - A bear climbed to the top of a utility pole and was later electrocuted, resulting in its death.

Fox News - The bear was seen perched on the crossarm of the utility pole, panting and trying to maintain its balance.

Fox News - A 911 caller reported the bear on top of the light pole, stating, "I'm calling to report a bear on top of a light pole."

Fox News - The bear died before wildlife officials could safely rescue it.

WHERE:

Fox News - The incident occurred near Gladstone, New Mexico, approximately 170 miles east of Santa Fe.

Fox News - The video was recorded on a utility pole in rural New Mexico.

WHEN:

Fox News - The video was recorded on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Fox News - The U.S. Department of the Interior re-shared the video on Wednesday following the incident.

WHY:

Fox News - Bears may climb utility poles after becoming startled by people, traffic, or dogs, treating them like trees to escape danger.

HOW:

Fox News - The dispatcher informed the 911 caller that tranquilizing the bear while it remained atop the pole could have caused it to fall.

Fox News - The bear was reported to be tranquilized while atop the pole, but officials noted that this could have caused it to fall.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 13:27 UTC)

A bear that was initially thought to be dead was discovered alive after wildlife officials approached it, as reported by Shannon Mullens on Fox News. The New York Post indicated that the bear had been electrocuted and died before rescuers could intervene safely. A dispatcher also warned the 911 caller that tranquilizing the bear while it was on the pole could have led to a dangerous fall.

--

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 02:54 UTC)

A bear climbed a utility pole near Gladstone, New Mexico, but tragically died after being electrocuted before wildlife officials could rescue it. The incident was recorded by Shannon Mullens, who captured the bear perched on the pole, panting and struggling to maintain its balance, and a 911 caller reported the situation, saying, "I'm calling to report a bear on top of a light pole." The U.S. Department of the Interior later re-shared the video, highlighting that bears may climb utility poles when startled by people or animals, mistaking them for trees to escape danger.