Hey, it wasn't all bad news for bear fans

TRUCKEE, Calif. -- In the interest of trying to raise the spirit of despondent Bears fans, we offer this story.

Perhaps spooked by traffic, a 250-pound bear apparently panicked and tried to jump over the railing of Rainbow Bridge on California Highway 40 near Donner Summit.

It isn't clear how the bear was seen on the ledge to which it clung for almost 24 hours.

But volunteers eventually strung a nylon net from an Army surplus store beneath the 80-year-old bridge, and an animal control officer shot the bear with a tranquilizer dart.

After the animal lost consciousness, volunteers used a pole to push it into the net, then lowered the bear onto the floor of the granite-strewn ravine as more than 100 spectators cheered.

The bruin was crossing the bridge when at least two vehicles drove by at the same time, according to rescuers. But all ended happily when the Bear walked away from the net apparently no worse for the ordeal.

Though the rescue occurred Sunday, Sept. 16, the photos were only released by The Associated Press this past weekend.