(WILDLIFE/ANIMAL PICTURES) In this daring rescue story, Adam Warwick, a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), saves a nearly 400-pound black bear from drowning.
The bear had wandered far away from his home in the Osceola National Forest, and was seen roaming around a residential neighborhood in search of food. Wildlife officials shot him with a tranquilizer dart in an attempt to safely return him to the wild, but unfortunately the bear bolted into the Gulf of Mexico before the drugs took effect.
At that point, the brave biologist jumped into the water to save the bear from drowning. Watch what happens next in the photo gallery below. — Global Animal
Animal Mozo
Animals, especially wild ones, are very hard to predict. This is a story of an unpredictable wild bear in Florida…
1. Nosy Neighbor
This hungry 400lb bear needed a snack, so went raiding garbage bags in Alligator Point, Florida. However, residents spotted him and, understandably, called local wildlife authorities to return him back to his natural habitat…
2. Shot with a Tranquilizer Dart!
When wildlife officers arrived they shot him with a tranquilizer dart, hoping to sedate him, but instead it made matters worse.
3. The Great Escape
The bear became frightened by the dart and ran frantically toward a gulf, right into the water. Unfortunately, as the bear began to swim farther out, the tranquilizer took its effect. Sapped of energy, the sedative drug began to kick in and the bear started to drown.
4. To the Rescue!
Adam, an officer from the wildlife commission, jumped into action, swimming towards the dying bear who was beginning to lose his faculties. His co-workers looked on, documenting the courageous rescue with photos while others tried to figure out how to now rescue both Adam and the black bear.
5. Things Get Serious
Not fazed by the sheer size and strength of the bear, Adam desperately tried to help the bear back to safety, but things started getting even trickier…
6. The Bear Awoke…
Towing the bear back to shore, Adam knew he could be viciously mauled if the animal regained consciousness. The bear was beginning to open its eyes, and the high currents weren’t helping the situation, either.
7. The Bear Regained Consciousness
The bear was regaining consciousness, but its legs were still weak, meaning it couldn’t swim for itself. It’s only chance of survival was to trust Adam to get it to safety. However, it’s not easy paddling 400lb of flesh and fur from the ocean…
8. Help Arrives
With the bear’s life in his hands, Adam swam over to a nearby boat for help, but the bear was too heavy to lift on board. They were running out of rescue options…
9. Adam, the Hero
The only option left was for Adam to tow the bear back to shore by himself. He had to use all of his physical strength, as well as pray that the bear trusted him to save him…
10. Things Start to Look Up
Despite his increasing fatigue, the brave biologist managed to haul the bear to shallower waters. From there, they’d need some a spare set of less-tired hands to help.
11. Help Arrives!
Another man arrives to help hoist the bear onto dry land. Both the bear and Adam were exhausted from the 25-yard swim. So was the tirade nearly over?
12. ‘Mission: Tractor’
Again, the bear was too heavy for the men to handle, so ‘Mission: Tractor’ began. Luckily, there was one nearby, so Adam got a much-needed rest and could relax in the knowledge that the bear’s life was no longer in peril.
13. Tractor Ride!
Now on dry land, Adam made sure the bear was safely loaded onto the truck for transportation back to the forest. Just look at this photo, the bear genuinely looks a combination of embarrassed and grateful. It was lucky to find a hero in Adam.
14. Too Groggy
The bear was safe but groggy, meaning he couldn’t show his thanks as much as he maybe would have liked to. In terms of Adam’s safety, he suffered a few cuts and grazes from both the bear and the sea – not bad going, considering.
15. Safe Again!
After regaining consciousness, the bear was released back into the wild at Osceola National Forest. Next time he’s hungry for a snack, he might think twice before rummaging through people’s garbage.
More Animal Mozo: http://animalmozo.com/2016/03/24/a-black-bear-was-drowning-when-this-brave-man-did-something-heroic/
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