Video footage capturing the rescue of a distressed bear cub by Colorado sheriff’s deputies has since made the rounds on social media nearly a month after the incident took place.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Lee Jazombek, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Officer Sean Dodd, successfully rescued the bear cub after the animal became trapped in a dumpster.
Since the release of the video, the officers have been praised for their compassion, quick thinking and resourcefulness in ensuring the safety of both the bear and the public.
The ordeal began when a bear cub, on the hunt for food, found itself trapped within a dumpster in Douglas County, Colorado.
Responding to the call, Deputy Jazombek and CPW Officer Dodd arrived at the scene and assessed the situation.
In the video released by the department, Deputy Jazombek can be heard saying, “Look at that little thing” and “Hey, buddy,” as he approached the bear cub along with Officer Dodd.
Their goal was clear: to devise a plan that would rescue the trapped cub without harming the animal or endangering the public.
The duo’s creativity came to the forefront as they formulated a plan to create a makeshift bridge to help the cub escape. Deputy Jazombek, who had experience working in the mountains outside Sedalia and Deckers, used a chain-link fence and a long piece of scrap wood to craft a ramp that extended from the dumpster’s lip to safety.
This ingenious bridge provided the cub with a way out.
“I know, I know you’re so cute,” Deputy Jazombek could be heard saying as the animal barked.
With the makeshift ramp in place, a second CPW officer moved the pickup truck that Deputy Jazombek and Officer Dodd were standing in away from the dumpster.
This critical step allowed the bear cub to make its escape and reunite with its mother. The heartening moment was captured on video as the cub jumped out of the dumpster and found its freedom.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly was proud of the officers’ compassion and innovative approach.
“Our deputies never know what kind of calls they will respond to. I am so proud of Deputy Jazombek’s compassion and ingenuity in caring for this bear cub and the people in the area,” Sheriff Weekly stated.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder to residents and visitors to properly dispose of food and trash to avoid attracting bears into neighborhoods.
Deputy Jazombek expressed that many bear encounters in neighborhoods are a result of improperly managed trash.
“Every time you call saying that ‘The bear’s in my neighborhood,’ they’re only there because someone forgot to take the trash inside,” Jazombek said in the video.
As the rescued cub reunited with its mother, Deputy Jazombek’s voice echoed the sentiment felt by many witnessing the heartwarming scene.
“Success. Cub already got out. There’s mama, oh yeah. Linked back up.”
