Should the Brookline bear have had a softer landing for his 80 foot fall from a tree on June 26?

Boston Globe Columnist Brian McGrory thinks so. McGrory argued, in his June 27 column, that officials should have placed a cushion below the bear could have landed on after being struck with a tranquilizer dart and relocated to Western Massachusetts. The terrain and lack of time, however, did not allow such a cushion to be used, McGrory quotes a state spokesman saying. 

Stories around the country include a number of objects animal control officers have used to cushion falling bears, ranging from trampolines (see video to right) in Montana to bouncy houses in Arkansas.

Brookline police say that the treatment of the bear was humane. After the fall, he was checked by vets. Environmental police carried the bear in a net to a prepared truck, and then filled the bed with ice. The ice, donated by Brookline Ice and Coal, was used to keep the bear cool, as the tranquilizer used raises the animal's body temperature. 

According to Brookline Police Chief Daniel O'Leary, the environmental police said that bears are resiliant animals. As natural climbers, they are "used to falling."

Tell us what you think! Should a cushion or other landing device have been used to assist the bear’s fall? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and take the poll.