BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Beleaguered bear in bridge rescue

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

Sunday, 30 September 2007, 10:41 GMT 11:41 UK

Beleaguered bear in bridge rescue

1 of 6
A 250lbs bear clings to a ledge on the Rainbow Bridge, near the town of Truckee, California.

The bear looks out after scrambling to safety underneath the bridge

The bear looks out after scrambling to safety underneath the bridge

2 of 6
The bear panicked and tried to jump over the bridge's rail after two vehicles drove past it as it crossed the bridge - it was stranded for almost 24 hours.

The bear watches as rescuers lower a net

The bear watches as rescuers lower a net

3 of 6
Rescuers lower a nylon net from an army surplus store as the bear looks on. More than 100 people gathered to see the rescue.

The bear is finally free from the bridge

The bear is finally free from the bridge

4 of 6
Rescuers shot the bear with a tranquiliser dart before using a pole to push it into the safety net.

5 of 6
An abseiler looks on as the bear is lowered to the ground.

The bear looks on

6 of 6
The sheepish looking bear finally makes it back to land. He then made a quick exit into the hills near the ski slopes of nearby Lake Tahoe.

E-mail this to a friend