According to the D&C "The plan, Newell said, was to tranquilize the bear with a dart and let it fall into a net so it could be transported to state-owned land to be freed. Several straw bales were placed around the tree and about eight police and DEC officials held out a net to help break the bear's fall." But the net they used was clearly inferior and not held high enough off the ground. The bear weighed 150 lbs. and fell from a height of 40-50 feet. The DEC said the bear was not expected to fall from as high since it had climbed up higher after the first darts were fired. According to the D&C "It was found with its snout in its chest, so Newell theorizes that the bear might have injured its neck during the fall, causing its airway to be obstructed, or it might have moved its head around while in the trap, causing it to asphyxiate itself." I couldn't find any statements from local animal rights groups on this issue. There should be public outcry over the DEC's irresponsible actions.