He Refused To Watch This Bear Drown, So He Went In After It

June 15, 2014

A 400 pound black bear wandered into a residential neighborhood in Florida. Wildlife officers had to sedate the bear to safely relocate him, and that's when things began to go horribly wrong.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

The tranquilizer dart sent the bear into a panic and he ran towards the ocean, evading officers.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

As he swam further and further out into the Gulf, he became drowsy and started to drown.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

But Adam Warwick, a biologist with the Wildlife Commission, wasn't about to let that happen.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Adam went in after the bear to stop him from going under...

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

"It was a spur of the moment decision. I had a lot of adrenaline pumping when I saw the bear in the water."

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

He knew the risk considering the bear was scared and could have easily became aggressive to defend itself.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

But the bear seemed to know it was in good hands.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Adam's determination finally got the bear back into shallow water.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

And suffered only a scratch from the brave rescue.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Once they reached the shore, other team members came to help.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

The team was able to use a tractor bucket to transport the poor guy back to his home in Osceola National Forest.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Adam rode with him back home...

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Where he is safe and happy again.

man saves bear from drowning
Becky Bickerstaff, Adam Warwick / The Nature Conservancy

Via Distractify


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