It seems that this particular bear was walking across the bridge when he was startled by two cars also crossing and jumped over the edge.

Somehow he was able to catch himself on the ledge and pulled himself to safety.

When authorities arrived they decided that there was nothing they could do before the end of the day; when they returned the following morning they found the bear fast asleep on the ledge.

Once they secured a net under the bridge...

they tranquilized the bear, causing him to fall into the net...

and then lowered him to the ground...

where he walked out of the net safe and sound. Chalk another up for the California Wildlife Management Service!