Trapped Mama Bear And Cubs Rescued From Water Tank

LA VERNE, CA — A mama bear and her cubs are safe after they fell into a cistern at Marshall Canyon Regional Park in La Verne, escaping Saturday with the aid of emergency personnel, according to authorities.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that it learned of the situation shortly after noon on Saturday and that authorities received reports of “howling” coming from inside the water tank.

The animals appeared to have climbed through a vent hole to enter the cistern and couldn’t get out, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Keith Navarre told City News Service. He speculated that they were thirsty. The high temperature reported in La Verne was 98 degrees on Saturday.

Emergency personnel worked to drain the tank and prevent the bears from drowning, and rescuers widened a hole and placed a ladder in it for the animals to crawl out.

As of 7:45 p.m., the bears were resting in the tank, “exhausted,” Navarre said, but the fish and wildlife department announced around 10 p.m. that they were safe. The cubs climbed out first, with the mother following.

Authorities said the tank was being secured to avoid a similar incident from happening again.

City News Service contributed to this story.