(Jacob Bruns, Headline USA) Beachgoers in Destin, Florida witnessed a bizarre sight over the weekend when a black bear plunged into the Gulf of Mexico near hundreds of swimmers, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
Video showed a young black bear swimming at a crowded Florida beach alongside numerous other swimmers.
The video was posted to social media, where it made rounds on Sunday.
Steffani Saddler, who took one of the viral videos, was returning from a SCUBA diving trip. She said that she saw the bear holding his own in the choppy waters.
“There’s a bear in the water. How crazy,” Saddler said in the video.
“I guess he’s on vacation, too,” another person joked.
Saddler said she was understandably surprised to see a bear in the Gulf.
“My reaction was definitely a bit of a shock because that was the last thing I expected to see swimming out there,” Saddler added.
Capt. Frank Merrell was also returning from a diving trip when he saw something black floating in the water.
“My first thought was maybe a dog, but was in complete shock when I realized it was a bear,” he said.
Black bears can be found throughout Florida, though they generally remain in the forested and swampy regions of the state.
The bears are also known for their excellent swimming abilities.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the bear cub likely had gone exploring away from its mother.
“While it is unusual to see a bear swimming in the shallows of a crowded beach, it isn’t unusual to hear of black bears swimming in the Gulf, on their way to barrier islands in search of food,” the FWC stated.
