Police officer frees bear cub from garbage bin

A bear cub has been reunited with its mother thanks to a police officer in Northern California who colleagues are calling a “bear whisperer.”

Truckee Police Sgt. Mon Pere responded to a report of the momma bear trying to free her cub from a garbage container. Police video shows Pere calling out to momma bear that he was going to help baby bear. The officer climbed on another container and told the cub he was a friend as he lifted the lid. The cub scampered out and ran to its mother, who was watching up a hill.

Police say the sergeant has had two bear rescues in recent weeks.