'Jaws of Life' used to free bear with head stuck in milk can

Last updated on: 16 September,2018 06:19 pm

Benjamin says rescuers tried cooking oil to free the bear, but that didn't work.

ROSEAU (AP) - Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to help free a black bear whose head was stuck in a milk can in northern Minnesota.

Conservation officer Eric Benjamin with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was called Friday about a young male bear with its head stuck in an old 10-gallon (38-liter) milk can near Roseau.

Benjamin says rescuers tried cooking oil to free the bear, but that didn t work, so they drilled three holes in the can so the panting bear could breathe.

After about two hours, Benjamin called the Roseau Fire Department, which used the Jaws of Life - normally used to extricate car accident victims - and a spreader to pry the can off.

Benjamin says the freed animal, seemingly healthy, ran into the woods.