Bear Rescue on Rainbow Bridge at Donner Summit

[Clancy]

A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge (Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit, Truckee ) on Saturday (Sep 15) when two cars also crossing the bridge scared the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge. Somehow the bear caught the ledge and was able to pull itself to safety. Authorities decided that nothing could be done to help Saturday night so they returned Sunday morning to find the bear sound asleep on the ledge. After securing a net under the bridge the bear was tranquilized, fell into the net, lowered, then woke up and walked out of the net.

[helenscott08]

THANK YOU, CLANCY, for showing us this beautiful bear rescue. It really is nice to see so many people willing to go to such lengths to save a bear. WONDERFUL!!! THANK YOU ALL.

beautifultrees12

[Clancy]

I am delighted that almost 1500 people have viewed this post.

Since so many are interested, you might be interested in what I find to be most amazing thing about this bear's adventure. If you look carefully at the third photo, you'll see that the ledge he spent the night on is recessed a couple of feet from the railing. How in the world did the bear jump over the rail then catch himself and make his way onto the ledge?

Imagine trying to do it yourself, even knowing that the ledge is recessed, it's truly amazing, because he did it on the fly so to speak.

[Braggi]

How in the world did the bear jump over the rail then catch himself and make his way onto the ledge?

Imagine trying to do it yourself, even knowing that the ledge is recessed, it's truly amazing, because he did it on the fly so to speak.

Astonishing! Yes, thanks for sharing. That's the first thing I wondered. How the heck? The wind must have been blowing the right direction. And the bear must have long arms/legs to have reached that far and then grabbed on tight enough to support his weight!?! By his claws? Amazing.

-Jeff