A Florida black bear went viral on social media after videos of the bear taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico in Destin, Florida, flooded Facebook over the weekend.
Videos shot by beachgoers show a young black bear swimming through the Emerald Coast surf on Sunday afternoon as it makes its way closer to shore. Other videos show the bear once its made its way to water about knee-deep.
Eventually, the growing crowd of onlookers appears to spook the bear, causing it to flee from the water and run through the dunes behind the shoreline Near the Silver Dunes Condominium.
Despite being the only species of bear found in Florida, black bears aren’t exactly uncommon — especially in the Florida Panhandle, where urban sprawl has encroached on bear habitat, creating frequent encounters between the relatively shy species of bear and unsuspecting homeowners.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates that there are about 4,050 black bears in Florida, and says that the state’s black bear population has expanded alongside its human population.
The group stresses that their presence, however, doesn’t typically pose a problem as long as precautionary steps are taken to limit encounters, such as keeping them away from food sources like garbage, pet food and bird seed.
Black bear in Destin, Florida, caught on camera taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico
Are bears in Florida?
Black bears are the only species of bear that call Florida home, according to the FWC. Biologists believe that there are about 4,050 bears in the state.
Adult male black bears can weigh between 250 to 350 pounds, while females usually weigh between 130 and 180 pounds.
Unlike many species of brown bears, black bears tend to be more timid and usually don’t pose threats to humans, though encounters should always be met with caution.
Black bear takes a dip in Florida poolBlack bear takes a dip in Holley by the Sea pool, prompting alert to residents and swimmers
What to do if you encounter a bear
Encountering a bear from a distance is usually a good time to enjoy the experience, according to FWC. However, you shouldn’t approach the bear. Begin to take the following steps if the bear’s behavior changes based on your presence:
- Stand upright
- Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice
- Slowly back up to a secure location, leaving the bear a clear escape route
- Avoid direct eye contact as this could be perceived as aggressive behavior
- Stop and hold your ground if the movement irritates instead of calms the bear
Here’s what the FWC says you shouldn’t do:
- Do not make any sudden or abrupt movements
- Do not run, this can trigger a chase instinct and bears can sprint up to 35 mph
- Do not play dead, black bears eat dead things
- Do not climb a tree, they can climb faster than you, too
- Do not approach or surprise a bear, especially if one might be injured
The FWC says that you should aggressively fight back if a black bear attacks you. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using simple tools like rocks and sticks or even their bare hands.