A bear died after climbing to the top of an electrical utility pole near Gladstone, New Mexico, approximately 270 kilometers east of Santa Fe. The incident occurred on Monday, July 20, 2026, and was witnessed by Shannon Mullins, who was traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma and stopped to document the event. The animal became trapped on the crossbar of the pole, struggling to maintain its balance at a significant height.

Authorities were notified of the situation, including through a 911 call from a member of the public. However, officials decided against sedating the animal, as they determined the intervention would likely cause the bear to fall from the pole and potentially suffer fatal injuries. The animal was ultimately electrocuted and died at the site. The U.S. Department of the Interior released footage of the incident on its social media channels on July 22, 2026, accompanied by a humorous remark regarding American energy policy, which subsequently went viral.