A cinnamon-colored black bear that climbed up a power pole just west of Tucson International Airport died when it was apparently electrocuted, officials said Tuesday.
It was not clear when the bear, which weighed about 160 pounds, climbed up on the pole or how long it had been dead but officials estimate that it likely went up Monday night.
Just after 11:30 a.m., a passer-by called police to report that the bear was sitting on top of a transformer in the 6900 block of South Nogales Highway, near East Elvira Road, said Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
Tucson Electric Power brought the bear down using a crane, Robinson said. Two lanes of traffic were temporarily shut down, he said. The Arizona Game and Fish Department was notified.
There were no power outages, and no significant structural damage was done, said Joe Salkowski, a TEP spokesman.
People are also reading…
"It's always a sad situation when you have an animal. The poor thing never really had a chance."
Gary Sanford
TEP lineman
