Minnesotans feed trapped bear Pop Tarts, Swedish Fish, and more during rescue attempt

WANNASKA, Minn. (CBS 58) -- Minnesotans came to the rescue of a bear who found himself stuck in a snow culvert. 

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a bear had hunkered down for the winter near Wannaska, and ended up getting stuck. The DNR says melting snow can sometimes flood bears out of culverts, and that's what happened in this situation. 

Well-meaning folks, according to the DNR, tried to dig him out and decided to serve the bear a "smorgasbord" of six Pop Tarts, a head of lettuce, a dead sucker minnow, some Fancy Feast cat food, bird seed, and a Swedish Fish. 

The DNR was called out and bear biologist Andrew Tri determined the bear was healthy but groggy -- most likely because he was woken up from his winter hibernation! 

Thankfully, the bear was safely relocated to a state game sanctuary so that he can continue his winter sleep. 

Meantime, the DNR reminds folks if you come upon a bear, do not bother it. In this case, the bear didn't have the desire to eat in the winter, so he didn't bite. 

The DNR also shared tips about living alongside bears in Minnesota. CLICK HERE for more. 

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