Bear cub rescued after head gets stuck in cookie jar

RINGWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- A frightened bear cub was rescued from a tree in northern New Jersey after getting his head stuck in an oversized cookie jar while rummaging through some trash.

Environmental Protection Department spokesman Larry Ragonese says the 6-month-old cub apparently found the animal crackers jar in a Ringwood neighborhood on Friday night.

As the 28-pound animal tried to eat what remained in the jar, he apparently pulled the jar over his head and it got stuck.

The cub became spooked when approached and went up a nearby tree, but got wedged about 40 feet up.

DEP staffers arranged netting in case the bear fell to the ground. After the animal was tranquilized by a DEP biologist, it was brought down and local firefighters gingerly cut the jar off its head.

The bear was dehydrated and having problems breathing.

DEP staffers immersed the bear in water and he started to feel better.

He was taken to a rehab facility where they expect him to remain for 4 to 6 weeks.