Several videos are circulating on social media that show a black bear taking a dip with a crowd of visitors in the Florida Gulf waters on Sunday.
“It’s a bear, Mom,” a child can be heard saying in the video below.
The videos circulating were shot at the beach in Destin, Florida on Sunday.
In the news: Florida Spring Brings Out The Bears. What You Should Do.
“While it’s not unusual to see a bear where we live, I’ve never seen one on the beach and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Looks like a cub. I wonder if it was fishing or just playing. Hopefully, he/she didn’t get in too much trouble with momma bear,” said Michael J Thomas on Facebook.
If the video isn’t displayed below, please visit the original URL, Watch: It’s So ‘Unbearably’ Hot In Florida, Even The Bears Hit The Beach, to watch.
“A black bear found itself in the midst of a crowd in Destin, FL today! We’ve received many reports of bears down on the Panhandle, but this is a first! Chris Barron, who shot the video, said the bear came from offshore and then ran into the sand dunes. I’m sure it was pretty spooked,” said Jennifer Lambers on Facebook.
Florida is home to the Florida black bear, which is a subspecies of the American black bear.
- Florida black bears are typically smaller than other black bears, with males weighing between 250 and 350 pounds and females weighing between 130 and 180 pounds.
- Florida black bears are omnivores and their diet consists of a variety of foods, including fruits, nuts, berries, insects, small mammals, and fish.
- Florida black bears are solitary animals and only come together to mate.
- Florida black bears are an important part of the state’s ecosystem and play a role in dispersing seeds and nutrients.
- It is important to be bear aware when recreating in Florida. Bears are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened.
Here are some tips for being bear aware:
- Make noise when hiking so that bears know you are coming.
- Never approach a bear.
- If you see a bear, back away slowly and do not make any sudden movements.
- Do not leave food or garbage behind.
- Store food and garbage in bear-proof containers.
- Remove bird feeders during the spring and summer when bears are more active.
- If you have a pet, keep it on a leash and do not leave it unattended.
By following these tips, you can help to keep yourself and bears safe.
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