Body camera video shows rescue of little bear cub from big trash bin

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office released body camera video Thursday showing deputies and state wildlife officers helping a bear cub escape from a trash container while the cub's mother watched from nearby.

The rescue happened July 15 in the Roxborough area. Deputy Lee Jazombek and Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers arrived on scene to find the little bear in a dumpster, crying out in distress. The trash bin was surrounded by discarded wooden pallets and sections of fencing.

"I know," Jazombek said to the crying bear. "I know. You're so cute!"

Instead of climbing into the dumpster with the cub, the first responders dragged a section of chicken-wire fencing into the trash bin and angled it, so the bear could climb out on its own.

"You stay here and let me know about the mom," Jazombek said as he went to get the fencing. He also placed some old wooden boards against the outside of the trash container for the cub to use once it got out.

"We gave you a way out, buddy," he said.

Within a minute of Jazombek placing the fencing in the dumpster, the cub was out and running back to its mother.

"What a day!" Jazombek said. "What a day."