Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Mother Bear And Three Cubs Rescued From California Water Tank
A mother bear and her three babies accidentally fell into a large water tank.
The tank was in a park in California.
The bears may have gone inside because they were looking for water during hot weather.
They could get in through a small opening but could not get back out.
Firefighters and wildlife workers came to help them.
One baby bear got out before the rescuers arrived.
The other bears came out one at a time.
All four bears were safely reunited.
A mother bear and three cubs were trapped for hours in a water tank in La Verne, California.
The bears likely entered through a roughly one-foot opening while searching for water in hot, humid weather.
Los Angeles County firefighters and wildlife officials coordinated the rescue, nicknamed “Operation Care Bear.”
One cub escaped before rescuers arrived and was later reunited with its family.
The mother and remaining cubs eventually climbed out safely, though the animals were exhausted.
- Who
- A mother bear, her three cubs, Los Angeles County firefighters, and wildlife officials.
- What
- A bear family was rescued after becoming trapped in a concrete water-storage tank.
- When
- Saturday, August 29; the bears had been trapped for hours before the rescue.
- Where
- A cistern at Marshall Canyon County Park in La Verne, California, near Claremont Wilderness Park’s 5-Mile Loop Trail.
- Why
- The bears likely entered through a one-foot opening while searching for water during hot and humid weather, but could not escape.
- Location
- Marshall Canyon County Park, La Verne, California
- Structure
- A large concrete water-storage tank, identified as a cistern
- Animals
- A mother bear and three cubs
- Opening
- Approximately one foot wide
- Rescue team
- Los Angeles County Fire Department and wildlife officials
- Operation name
- “Operation Care Bear”
- Outcome
- The bear family made it out safely and the escaped cub was reunited with its family