Unbelievable: Brave Dog Rescued After Trapped for 72 Hours in Bear Cave

The Remarkable Rescue of a Hunting Dog in a Tennessee Cave

In a thrilling rescue operation, a hunting dog was saved after getting trapped in a narrow cave shaft in eastern Tennessee, nearly 40 feet below the surface. What made the situation even more perilous was the fact that the dog had an unexpected companion in the cave – a black bear.

Firefighter Tori Downing revealed to WVLT news the story behind the dramatic rescue attempt.

The dog, named Charlie, was stuck deep in the cave system, with the bear resting farther inside. The bear, estimated to be around 2 years old and weighing 200 pounds, seemed unperturbed by his “cave mate,” as he continued peacefully snoozing. It was a sight that surprised everyone involved.

After consulting with the state wildlife agency, rescuers decided to leave the bear undisturbed and wait for him to leave the cave on his own. A trail camera was set up to monitor his movements, ensuring the safety of the rescue team.

Once the bear finally departed, a team from multiple fire and rescue departments descended into the depths of the cave to reach Charlie. They secured a harness around him and successfully brought him to safety.

After spending three days trapped in the cave, Charlie emerged dehydrated and hungry but otherwise unharmed. He was quickly reunited with his grateful owner, marking a joyful ending to the harrowing ordeal, which had everyone at the scene breathing a sigh of relief.

English Mountain, located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is home to an estimated 1,900 bears, as CNN reports. As for Charlie’s bear companion, the fire department reassured concerned individuals on Facebook that he is doing just fine. Hopefully, he is enjoying having the cave to himself once again.