A mother black bear and her two cubs were found in a tree on the grounds of a Flagstaff elementary school, prompting a coordinated rescue involving Arizona Public Service (APS) and the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD). The bears had been attracted to the area by apple trees, leading to concerns for both student safety and animal welfare.
After school officials contacted AZGFD, wildlife officers assessed the situation and decided that relocating the bears was necessary. APS provided specialized equipment for the operation. An APS troubleshooter operated a bucket truck while Game and Fish Officer Colby Walton used it to reach the cubs, who were then safely removed from the tree and placed in carriers. The mother bear, already out of the tree when APS arrived, was later reunited with her cubs.
“Our priority was making sure everyone stayed safe — kids, staff, and the bears,” said APS’s Jim Baldocchi. “We’re proud to assist in situations like this. It’s not every day we use our equipment for wildlife rescues, but when the community calls, we answer.”
Students observed from inside their classrooms as teachers discussed local wildlife and coexistence with nature. Walton emphasized how essential partnerships are during unpredictable events: “Having APS on site with the right gear allowed us to work quickly and minimize stress on the animals. The cubs were reunited with their mother and relocated to a safe area where they can thrive.”
Walton noted that fall often brings bears into populated areas as they seek food before winter, increasing interactions between humans and wildlife.
Stevie Kelso of AZGFD commented on the collaboration: “This was a great moment of teamwork between AZGFD and APS,” she said.
By late afternoon, officials confirmed all three bears were healthy after being moved to remote habitat away from human activity.
The event is not isolated; in 2024, APS also assisted AZGFD in rescuing a bear from a Prescott neighborhood using similar methods.
“Wildlife encounters are part of life in Arizona,” said Ann Porter, an APS spokesperson. “We’ve built a reputation for stepping up when needed—whether it’s restoring power after a storm or helping to protect our state’s natural heritage.”
These incidents highlight how community safety efforts can align with conservation goals as urban development increases encounters between people and wildlife.
