Biologist, firefighters and police free Vermont bear with head stuck in milk can

Vermont bear with head stuck in milk can rescued

READING, Vt. — A 120-pound Vermont black bear is back in the woods after getting its head stuck in a milk can. It took a state biologist, firefighters and police about 45 minutes to free the bear’s head from the can after the animal was found late Sunday morning off Vermont Route 106 in the town of Reading.

The Rutland Herald said officials estimate the bear had its head stuck in the old fashioned milk can for at least six hours before it was found.

Fish and Wildlife Biologist Forrest Hammond said the bear had been running and bumping into trees and boulders.

Hammond used soap to lubricate the bear’s head so the can could be pulled off, but it didn’t work. Firefighters helped him cut the can off.