LA VERNE, CA — A mother bear and two of her cubs were safely rescued in La Verne after the family became trapped in a water cistern near Marshall Canyon Trail. The cubs climbed out with help, and the mother soon followed, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

All three bears made it back into the wilderness after the unusual rescue, which drew together firefighters and state wildlife experts over the weekend.

How the Rescue Began

People in the area spotted the bears in trouble and alerted authorities, who found that the mother had three cubs in all. One cub had already managed to get away before crews arrived, while the other two remained stuck with her inside the confined cistern.

The location was off the Marshall Canyon Trail, where the steep terrain and narrow opening made the situation more complicated. Even so, the goal stayed simple: reach the animals without causing them more stress and get them out as quickly and safely as possible.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the response involved about 40 firefighters, along with help from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Cutting a Way Out

Rescuers first cut open the cement lid covering the tank, then used rotary saws to create a hole large enough to lower a ladder into the cistern. That gave the cubs a safe way to climb out instead of trying to jump from the water-filled space.

The two cubs exited almost right away once the ladder was in place, fire officials said. Their mother hesitated briefly, but she eventually followed and climbed out on her own.

The careful, step-by-step approach mattered because the animals were frightened and the cistern was tight. Crews worked together to avoid injury and keep the bears calm as they made each move.

A Wild Ending With a Safe Return

When the rescue was over, all of the bears were free and able to run back into the surrounding wilderness. Officials said the family left the area safely after its unexpected detour underground.

The incident offered a reminder of how quickly wildlife can wander into risky situations and how much coordination it can take to help them back out. It also showed the value of fast reporting from people nearby, who noticed the problem before it could become worse.

For the firefighters and wildlife staff who responded, the outcome was the best one possible: a mother reunited with her cubs and a rescue that ended with the bears back where they belong.

Real, uplifting stories from across America – GCHS Eagle's Eye.