Cop Goes Above and Beyond to Help Bear Family in Need

When Trooper Thomas Owens of the Carroll Police Department in New Hampshire received a call about a black bear family trying to cross a road, he didn’t expect the heartwarming encounter that would unfold. The mama bear, accompanied by four cubs, seemed to be struggling to make it across.

As Trooper Owens approached the scene, he noticed the mama bear pacing back and forth on the road. It soon became clear that something was wrong. The Carroll Police Department had prior knowledge of this bear family and their unique circumstances.

“This is the mother that had five cubs out in Bretton Woods,” the department explained in a Facebook post. Just the day before, they had to intervene and rescue one of her babies. The tiny cub was sick and weak, unable to keep up with its mother and siblings.

Having five cubs is highly unusual for bears, as most typically have only two or three at a time. The department noted that this was only the second known occurrence in New Hampshire. It was evident that the mama bear cared deeply for her offspring and was determined to keep them all together.

As the mama bear attempted to cross the road with her four remaining cubs, one of them stubbornly refused to move, causing her distress. She desperately tried to coax the cub to follow, but it was clear that the little one was too sick and weak to keep up.

Trooper Owens knew he had to step in. After ensuring the safety of everyone involved, he decided to take action. “After doing some bear traffic control, we had to take one bear cub in for Fish and Game to be rehabilitated,” the department explained. This would give the sick cub a chance to recover and eventually be reunited with its family.

With a heavy heart, the mama bear made the difficult decision to leave the sick cub behind and continue on with the three healthy ones. Trooper Owens gently scooped up the weak cub and made sure it received the care it needed. Thanks to his quick thinking and compassion, the mama bear could now focus on her other cubs, knowing that her sick cub was in good hands.

Trooper Owens’ selflessness and dedication to helping this bear family is truly inspiring. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and going above and beyond to assist those in need, even when they may not be human.