California runners followed a whimpering sound and found a mother bear trapped in a water tank with three cubs
Trail runners in California traced cries to a flooded concrete cistern, where a mother bear and three cubs had become trapped.
What started as a strange sound on a trail ended with firefighters and wildlife officials rescuing four bears from a flooded concrete tank. The discovery came after runners followed a howling, whimpering noise and found a mother bear and her three cubs stuck inside.
Late Saturday night, crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were called to Marshall Canyon Regional Park in La Verne after residents running the 5-Mile Loop Trail at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park came across the trapped animals.
One runner, Jamie Kirk, said the group heard a distressed sound but could not tell where it was coming from at first. They followed it to a large water tank, looked inside and found the mother bear staring back at them. According to Kirk, the cistern was full of water, leaving the bear to stand upright and brace herself against the wall to keep out of it.
How the bears got out
Firefighters worked with personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the cistern so the animals would not drown.
One cub managed to climb out on its own. Rescuers then widened the opening at the top of the tank and lowered a ladder, allowing the mother bear and the remaining cubs to get out.
Wildlife officials said the water tank is now being secured to help prevent more animals from ending up trapped there.
Why water tanks can become wildlife traps
In rural and wild areas, open water tanks are often used to store water for livestock, irrigation, firefighting, or remote properties. To an animal, they can look like an easy place to drink, especially in hot or dry conditions.
The problem is that many tanks have high rims, smooth sides, and deep water. An animal may climb or fall in, then struggle to get back out because there is nothing to grip. Young animals are especially vulnerable, and distressed calls can attract a parent or other wildlife to the same spot.
If you own land in bear country or other wildlife habitat, basic prevention helps. Covered tanks, secure fencing, wildlife escape ramps, rough exit points, and regular checks can all reduce the risk. Even a tank that seems harmless to people can be dangerous to an exhausted animal.
What to know about bears and cubs
Bears are usually looking for food, water, and a safe route through an area, not a confrontation. But a mother with cubs can be highly defensive if she thinks her young are threatened. Cubs may cry, climb, or scatter, which can make a situation feel chaotic very quickly.
A key safety rule is simple: never get between a mother bear and her cubs. Keep dogs close and under control, because barking or chasing can escalate an encounter. If you come across bears unexpectedly, stay calm, make your presence known in a steady voice, and back away slowly. Do not run, crowd them, or try to film from close range.
What to do if you find trapped wildlife
If an animal is trapped in water or confined in a tank, pond, or pit, treat it as both a rescue situation and a safety risk. A frightened animal can lunge, climb suddenly, or injure anyone who gets too close.
The safest move is usually to keep a wide distance, move other people away, secure pets, and contact local wildlife authorities, animal control, or emergency responders. If you need to help from a distance, avoid direct contact and do not climb into the enclosure. In many cases, trained responders can create an exit route or use equipment that protects both people and the animal.
If you hike or run in wildlife areas, listening for repeated distress sounds, scanning around water sources, and giving all wild animals plenty of space are simple habits that can prevent a dangerous encounter.
