‘Desperate’ bear cub found dangling from window in California home, video shows

A bear cub couldn’t escape a California home ⁠— until it was found clinging to a window.

The bear cub entered a Tahoe home with its mom and brother, bear advocacy group the BEAR League said. The cub wandered off on its own and started exploring other rooms.

The door shut behind the cub, and it was stuck inside, the group said.

“Sometimes when bear families get into unsecured homes the stakes are raised if a curious cub goes exploring and gets stuck in another room after the door closes on him,” the group said Wednesday, July 6, on Facebook.

The BEAR League was called to the house and found the bear hanging from a window sill, trapped inside the room. Video the group posted shows the bear dangling from the window, trying to climb out.

The cub’s mom and brother were standing outside the home on the house’s deck, the group said.

“The Mama seemed to know all would be well once she saw us and she patiently stood back, and waited for us to get in, find him, and get him out and back into her care,” the BEAR League said. “All ended well.”

Bears often get into homes in the Tahoe area.

On June 16, a woman found herself face-to-face with a bear in her North Lake Tahoe home. She left her front door open as she went to take the trash out, and a bear used that time to walk in.

The bear scratched the woman’s face and knocked her to the ground, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said. She got away from the bear and called 911.

“Remember to not leave any food or wrappers, crumbs, etc. lying around in your car or in an unsecured trash can – bears have an extraordinary sense of smell and trust us – they WILL claw their way into anything to get to the food,” deputies said.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. Bears in most attacks are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are some steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack, according to the National Park Service.

• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack, but they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack

• Pick up small children: Don’t let the kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide you some protection.

• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

This story was originally published July 7, 2022 at 1:42 PM with the headline "‘Desperate’ bear cub found dangling from window in California home, video shows."