In Oliver, British Columbia, Curtis Pirie had a surprising encounter when he spotted a bear with a stove pipe stuck on its head while dealing with his bike chain issue. Earlier, Pirie’s wife had shown him a photo of the bear on social media. Attempting to help, Pirie and a neighbor tried to remove the pipe from the bear but were unsuccessful, leading the bear to climb a tree.
After contacting the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, officers tranquilized the bear, causing it to fall asleep in the tree. With the assistance of a large pole, the bear was gently guided down, and the pipe was removed from its head. The bear had been causing concern in the community for about 10 days prior to the rescue operation.
Sgt. James Zucchelli of the Conservation Officer Service mentioned that the bear had appeared thin, raising concerns about its ability to eat while the pipe was stuck. Despite its condition, the bear was still in good health and was relocated back into the wilderness near Oliver after the rescue. Zucchelli emphasized the importance of keeping attractants away from wildlife and promptly reporting animals in distress to the authorities.
