Saving a 400 LB. Florida Bear





Welcome to a Photo story of Wildlife Officers saving a Bear.

The Florida Bear wandered to a home garage seeking food. Wildlife Officers were called to
relocate the Bear, but after being sedated with a Dart, ran into the Bay and had to be
rescued from nearly drowning due to the sedation taking effect.

The Photo story was received as an email, too good to delete, should be shared with others.
It is posted here for folks to see and enjoy. Photo credits: Courtesy of Becky Bickerstaff



A 400-lb. black bear wandered into a residential neighborhood in Florida.
Wildlife officers sedated the bear to safely relocate him, and
that's when things began to go horribly wrong.

The tranquilizer dart sent the bear into a panic and he ran towards
the Bay, evading officers.

As he swam further and further out, he became drowsy and started to drown.

But Adam Warwick, a biologist with the Wildlife Commission, wasn't about to let that happen.

Adam went in after the bear to stop him from going under.

“It was a spur of the moment decision. I had a lot of adrenaline pumping
when I saw the bear in the water.

He knew the risk, considering the bear was scared and could have easily
become aggressive to defend itself.

But the bear seemed to know it was in good hands.

Adam's determination finally got the bear safely back into shallow water.

Adam suffered only a scratch from the brave rescue.

Once they reached the shore, other team members came to help.

The team was able to use a tractor bucket to transport the poor guy
back to his home in Osceola National Forest.

Adam rode with him back to his home in the Forest.

Lucky Bear is back home in the Forest!





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