The Bear Was NOT Injured!

Trapped Bear Springs Off Trampoline To Safety

POSTED: Wednesday, September 10, 2003

UPDATED: 1:02 pm EDT September 10, 2003

A 2-year-old black bear trapped in a maple tree in Missoula, Mont., tumbled back to earth after being tranquilized and landing on a trampoline, according to a Local 6 News report.

Video

Bear Bounces After Tree Fall

Fish Wildlife and Parks officials used a tranquilizer gun on the 150-pound male bear after several attempts to get the animal down failed Tuesday.

Minutes after being shot, the bear dropped out of the tree. During its fall, the animal hit the springs of a trampoline under the tree and catapulted high into the air before landing on the ground.

Officials said the bear is fine and will be released into the wild in the morning.

"My theory is this bear just got lost," wildlife biologist Jamie Jonkel said. "I honestly think he came up from the river -- maybe from Kelly Island or Frenchtown -- and started making his way along the river into town."