Zoo Rescues Bear Trapped in Moat

Fed-up zookeepers took drastic action today to rescue Zero the polar bear from the moat he’s been trapped in since Oct. 13, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Milwaukee County Zoo officials used tranquilizer darts to subdue the 1,100-pound beast, then had a crane lift him to safety. “Things were hanging on for a little bit too long,” a spokesman explained.

Zero has thwarted every attempt at rescue since tumbling, unhurt, into the dry moat, ignoring herring-baited crates sent down to haul him to the surface. But once he was anesthetized, zoo staff were able to enter the area and use cargo nets to haul him into the crate. Zero is expected to wake up later today, and will be back in public view as soon as possible. (More animal stories.)