Bear climbs utility pole in New Mexico before reported electrocution

A bear was filmed climbing a utility pole in rural New Mexico, approximately 170 miles east of Santa Fe, on July 20, 2026. The video, shared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, shows the bear on the crossarm of the pole. A 911 caller reported the bear's unusual position, and the dispatcher informed that state officials had been notified. Shannon Mullens, who recorded the video, initially thought the bear was dead but later realized it was alive. The bear was reportedly electrocuted and died before wildlife officials could intervene. Experts indicate that bears may climb utility poles when startled by humans or animals, treating them similarly to trees for escape.