PRISTINA, KOSOVO — A lone bear was wandering through the forest when he suddenly found himself hooked to a hunter’s trap. Photos of his ordeal were posted to Facebook on June 14 by the animal welfare group that saved him.

A wire tightened around his paw as he struggled to break free, and he might’ve been a goner if someone had not spotted him and called in a local animal rescue group to come to his aid.

Four Paws Kosovo, an animal rescue team near Pristina, is known for providing a sanctuary to captive bears. However, the staff at the rescue were willing to make the exception and help the wild bear as best they could. After tranquilizing the bear and waiting for him to fall asleep, veterinarians were able to get close and remove the wire trap, freeing him up to then tend to his wounds.

After determining he was in good enough shape to return to the wild on his own, they left him in a safe area and vacated. Once the tranquilizer wore off, people monitoring the bear claim to have seen him scoot off back into the forest, resuming his adventures.