While searching for bison on the border of Alberta, Canada and the Northwest Territories, local hunter Linda Powell came across a sight to remember: a black bear (Ursus americanus) high atop a power pole.

The hungry bear climbed the pole with one goal in mind: to empty out a raven's nest full of tasty eggs. "After getting its fill, the bear descended the pole without any incident," Powell recalls. "One bird was pecking at it from behind, in an attempt to discourage it ... but it made no difference." Unlike some bear species, black bears lack a prominent shoulder hump, and have short claws, both of which make them well-suited to climbing – they've even been known to rock climb!

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Image: Linda Powell/Facebook
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image: Linda Powell/Facebook
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Image: Linda Powell/Facebook

Top header image: Joseph Brauer/Flickr