A Most “Bearable” Story

By Bill Johnson Published Oct 5, 2007 01:00 pm Updated Jan 31, 2009 01:50 pm

Donner Pass, CA — This is a most “bearable” story about a rather unique incident in the Sierra Nevada.

While it didn´t take place in the Mother Lode, it is worthy of presentation to animal lovers everwhere.

Just a couple of weeks ago a brown bear was crossing Rainbow Bridge on Hwy 80 (the old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit) when it was frightened by a couple of vehicles. The bear jumped over the edge of the bridge, caught the ledge and was somehow able to pull itself to safety.

Authorities decided nothing could be done to help the bear that evening so they returned the next day, September 16, only to find the bear sound asleep on the ledge.

The first step was dropping a net under the bridge. Next the bear was tranquilized. Soon the bear fell into the net which was gently lowered to ground level.

When the bear awakened he, or she, was released to the wild without a scratch.

Written by Bill Johnson