Overview
- Trail runners found a mother black bear and three cubs trapped inside a concrete water cistern at Marshall Canyon County Park after hearing distress noises and looking into a small opening.
- One cub escaped before crews arrived and Urban Search and Rescue teams worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank, widen the vent, and put a ladder inside to allow the remaining bears to climb out.
- The L.A. County Fire Department posted video of the operation and officials confirmed the animals were declared safe after exiting the cistern.
- Authorities said the animals likely entered the tank seeking water during unusually hot conditions in the area, with local temperatures reaching the high 90s.
- The Department of Fish and Wildlife is securing the tank to prevent future wildlife entrapments, highlighting how unsecured park infrastructure can become a deadly hazard for thirsty animals during heat events.