A young black bear has become an online sensation after it was caught on video enjoying some weekend surf and sun.
Beachgoers in Destin, Florida raced to social media on Sunday to share images of the furrier-than-usual swimmer cooling off in the Gulf of Mexico. Videos show the bear floating leisurely in the waves before turning to swim back toward the shore, eventually reaching the sand near a group of onlookers.
Seemingly startled by the growing attention, the bear can be seen weaving past umbrellas and chairs to make a quick escape up the beach.
Bear sightings common
While the bear may not have been “on vacation,” as one onlooker can be heard suggesting, it is not uncommon for Floridians and communities across the U.S. to catch sight of bears on their beaches, at favorite hangout spots or in their own backyards.
Thanks to human encroachment on their habitat, the estimated 300,000 plus black bears that call the U.S. home have been increasingly caught snooping around in human-dense areas, even breaking into homes out of curiosity or in search of easy food.
Just last week, a black bear caused trouble after jumping through a kitchen window to raid a Connecticut couple’s cabinets, while another pair of Florida black bears were spotted last month helping themselves to a backyard pool.
And, because they are excellent swimmers capable of living in a variety of environments, Florida black bears especially have been documented as frequent fliers — or swimmers — in the the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
While black bear sightings are considered “common” in Florida and other states like California, Alaska, Colorado and Maine, the FWC notes that they are not prone to attacking humans and that most interactions pass without incident.
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What to do if your beach day turns into a bear sighting
While black bears are not known to be particularly aggressive towards humans, the National Park Service suggests keeping a few things in mind in case of a bear encounter.
Regardless of the type of bear, the NPS advises that humans make an effort to bear-proof any stores of food — this goes for garbage cans and picnic baskets alike.
Those who find themselves face-to-face with a bear should remain calm, slowly make their way toward an exit or secure location and avoid eye contact, running, or making sudden, startling movements or sounds.
A few more tips from the NPS and FWC include:
- Talk in a low, steady voice and do not scream or otherwise act suddenly to startle the bear. Make yourself appear as large as possible.
- Travel in groups and either pick up small children upon sighting the bear or keep them out of the area altogether.
- If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.
- If you see cubs, be extra cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their young: do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
- In the unlikely event you do end up attacked by a black bear, do not play dead. If immediate escape is not possible, try fighting back and aim for the face.