Bear shocks Florida beachgoers by swimming out of the ocean

[Sugar Cookie]

Beachgoers in Destin were treated to the jaw-dropping sight of a black bear cub splashing in the surf to cool off Sunday, when midday temperatures were in the 80s.

Social media lit up with videos showing the grizzly holidaymaker enjoying a dip in the Gulf of Mexico’s refreshing blue waters, before emerging onto a crowded beach.

In one clip showing the furry youngster skillfully swimming in the ocean, a woman witnessing the bewildering scene quips off camera: “I guess he’s on vacation, too!”

Eventually, the cub makes his way closer to the shore and is seen gamboling in knee-deep water among human beachgoers.

“It’s a bear!” some people are heard exclaiming in shock.

Eyewitness Chris Barron, who shared one of the viral videos documenting the forest critter’s beach adventure, tweeted: “A bear just swam from way out in the ocean to shore in Destin. Insane.”

Jennifer Majors Smith also shared several recordings of the wild encounter on Facebook, writing: “Never have I ever….seen a black bear swim up out of the Gulf Coast and onto the beach (and I’m from Pensacola).”

Chris Kirby, a charter boat captain, told Al.com that it’s not uncommon for bears to swim in the Gulf — something he said he has seen multiple times.

“There are a lot of bears at Eglin Air Force Base. They swim across the bay. Sometimes they go for a joy swim,” he said. “Everybody’s just got cellphones now and they get pictures.”

Bear shocks Florida beachgoers by swimming out of the ocean

A young black bear became an overnight viral sensation after being spotted at a Florida beach.

nypost.com

 

[Taishobee]

He was hot too! So cute!

 

[Freyja]

Oops, that's not a bear! My Newfoundland puppy, Ursa absconded with our truck and took a Florida beach trip.

 

[Crazy Cat Lady]

"Ursa" is a great name for a Newfie, and they sure do like the water!

 

[Symmachus]

Of course there will always be those tourists who either get unacceptably close to the wildlife, or fail to yield appropriately. Some of those guys wearing swimming trunks literally did not stir with the bear right next to them, as if they just see bear cubs swimming around all the time. Are they not fazed by such a unique and unusual sight?

Also, look at this passage (SATIRE):

Eyewitness Chris Barron, who shared one of the viral videos documenting the forest critter’s beach adventure, tweeted: “A bear just swam from way out in the ocean to shore in Destin. Insane.”

Of course they had to interview a guy named "Chris Barron" (pronounced "krihs BEAR-uhn"). With a name like that, how am I supposed to trust that the bear did not disguise himself with both a poor costume and an unimaginative name so as to talk about himself, but as if it was not himself, in front of the media? They literally could not have a better name than something with "Bear" in it? Or perhaps it was one of the swimming bear's friends who was also a bear, and two of them conspired to give swimming bear media attention.

I am assuming that this is our Chris Barron until proven otherwise.

After all, there is precedent for such a thing. Just look at the Berenstain Bears, who are prominent media personalities that appeal directly to our youth. Winnie the Pooh, the bears who encountered Goldilocks, Paddington Bear, Ted the Bear, Yogi Bear, Smokey the Bear. The evidence has been in front of you this whole time: bears control the media and influence our society and politics in unknown ways. Especially the Berenstain Dynasty.

And so does this bear. Yes, I'm still talking about just bears.