Black bear surprises Florida beachgoers after taking a dip in Gulf
It was a hot day in Destin with temperatures in the lower 90s on Saturday, so it's no surprise the black bear wanted to cool off.
Black bear surprises Florida beachgoers swimming out of the Gulf
A Florida black bear took a dip in the Gulf on Saturday surprising beachgoers on the crowded beach.
DESTIN, Fla. – A crowded beach in Florida had an unexpected toothy creature come out of the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday when a black bear swam out of the water.
Beachgoer Chris Barron shared a video on Twitter showing the Florida black bear feet away from people in the water as it swam onshore.
A child can be heard exclaiming, "That's a bear!" while others say, "Aw!"
Barron said the bear swam right beside his 12-year-old son, and at first, he feared it might be a shark.
"The bear was out pretty far. A lot of people started swimming in. I was worried it was a shark. I walked over and thought it was a dog," Barron said.
A black bear swims alongside beachgoers in Destin, Florida on June 11, 2023.
(Chris Barron via Storyful)
The furry encounter didn't freak people out as much as seeing a bear in the water surprised them.
THE BEAR NECESSITIES OF LIVING SAFELY WITH FLORIDA BLACK BEARS
"No one expected to see a bear in the Gulf of Mexico," Barron said.
The bear didn't stick around for a teddy bear picnic and quickly ran off into the dunes.
It was a hot day in Destin with temperatures in the lower 90s on Saturday, so it's no surprise the black bear wanted to cool off.
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking temperatures in the lower 90s this week for the Florida Panhandle, along with the potential for severe weather.
Florida's black bear population growing
What to know if you come close to a bear
Fall is in full swing, and so is bear activity. If you're seeing bears more frequently lately, don't be alarmed. You may see more bears during the fall months as they prepare to go into their winter hibernation. You definitely don't want to get too close to them. Luckily, there are ways to stay aware and safe if you find yourself near one. David Telesco, bear management program coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, joins FOX Weather.
Florida black bears can be found throughout the Sunshine State, sometimes in downtown neighborhoods.
Bear and human encounters do happen, but a majority of the complaints the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) receives about bears are general encounters and bears getting in the garbage. Still, dangerous interactions with bears do happen.
According to data from the FWC, the black bear population in the Florida Panhandle has been on the rise. From 2002 to 2015, the population in the eastern Panhandle increased by 86%. Overall, about 4,000 black bears live in Florida.