Florida Wildlife Officials Use Chainsaw to Free Bear Who Got Paw Stuck in a Tree

Florida wildlife officials undertook an hours-long effort to rescue a bear cub that found its back paw “solidly stuck” in the crook of a tree.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shared the incident, explaining that a wildlife officer was first on the scene. However, after failing to free the trapped cub, a bear biologist was brought in to help.

The duo worked together for about two hours and attempted to pry the unyielding tree limbs apart and even tried soaking the bear's leg with dish soap, but to no avail.

In a turn of events, a local resident came forward with a chainsaw. With the biologist carefully holding the bear cub, the officer sawed off one of the tree limbs, successfully freeing the youngster.

“WHEW!,” the agency said in relief.

After a brief medical check, the bear was happily reunited with its mother.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds residents to call 888-404-3922 upon encountering a sick, injured, dead, or orphaned bear.