See this furry animal taking a dip in the ocean
Florida beachgoers were shocked to spot a bear enjoying the waves in Naples.
It’s summer, so anyone can use a beach day − including this black bear, captured on video taking a swim near a Florida shoreline.
Kylie Nelson and her son were on the beach when they spotted that bear swimming at a beach in Naples, Florida on Friday, May 30th, according to Storyful.
The mother and son duo spotted the bear while they were out for a morning walk, Nelson told Storyful.
In the video recorded by Nelson’s son, the bear is seen swimming close to the shoreline as Nelson calls 911.
“Mom, run,” her son is heard saying in the video.
Nelson later captured another video of the bear exploring part of a beach residence. Watch the video encounter above.
Bears spotted in Naples, Florida
This bear isn’t the first to be spotted by residents in the area, according to the Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
James Paul Mayo, a nature photographer, told the outlet that he’d seen a mother bear and her three cubs walking down a street near homes in Naples, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida, about 40 miles south of Fort Myers.
What to do if you encounter a bear
If a bear gets too close for comfort, it’s essential to remember not to run away.
“Remain calm,” Maggie Peikon, the manager of communications for the American Hiking Society, previously told USA TODAY. “I know it’s a scary situation.”
Those facing a bear should do the following, according to Peikon:
- Speak in a calm voice
- Creating space between themselves and the bear
- Side-step away from the bear
“You don’t want to run and you don’t want to turn your back on a bear,” she said.
How to use bear spray
Homeowners can also keep a can of bear spray nearby in case a bear attempts to enter their house.
Aim the bear spray slightly downward in front of the bear’s head for a couple of seconds when it is 20 to 30 feet away, instructs the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Be cautious of wind direction.
If a bear does try to attack, protect your head and neck, said Peikon. Get as low to the floor as possible so it’s harder for the bear to roll you over and have access to any vital organs.
