Foresthill, California (Jan. 13) – A California family was in for a surprise when their home security camera caught an unexpected guest — a bear — enjoying a chilly late-night swim in their backyard pool.
Leslie Schmid and her husband were fast asleep when the furry swimmer made its appearance around 2 a.m. The bear didn’t mind the freezing temperatures as it splashed around, much to the couple’s amazement when they reviewed the footage later.
“We don’t have a heater in our pool, so it’s got to be cold water,” Schmid shared with CBS Sacramento.
This wasn’t the bear’s first visit, according to Schmid. The same bear — or at least one very similar — had been spotted cooling off in their pool last July. However, seeing it return in the middle of winter took the family by surprise.
Why Are Bears Active in Winter?
Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, explained that many bears in California don’t follow the typical hibernation patterns seen in other regions. The reason? Easy access to human food.
“Bears are finding food in trash cans and other human-created sources, which eliminates their need to hibernate,” Tira said.
When bears associate neighborhoods with food, it leads to bolder behavior. According to wildlife officials, this can become dangerous as bears lose their fear of humans.
What You Should Do to Keep Bears Away
If you live in an area where bears are common, here are some tips to avoid unwelcome encounters:
- Secure Your Trash: Use bear-resistant garbage bins or store your trash indoors until collection day.
- Remove Food Sources: Don’t leave pet food, birdseed, or other attractants outside.
- Lock Up: Ensure doors, windows, and even car doors are closed and locked, especially if food is inside.
Tira reminds residents that keeping bears wild is everyone’s responsibility. “If bears find food easily, they’ll keep coming back,” he warned.
Bears in California: Year-Round Visitors
Unlike bears in colder climates that rely on fat stores to sleep through winter, California bears stay awake because they can find plenty to eat. While seeing a bear in your backyard might be exciting, it’s important to keep a safe distance and avoid actions that might make bears feel too comfortable around humans.
So, the next time you hear splashing in your pool at night, it might just be a bear going for a refreshing dip — even in the coldest weather!
(Source : newsbreak.com)
