A California homeowner got an unexpected visitor this week when a large black bear wandered into his yard and took a swim in his private pool to escape the heat.
David Rechtschaffen, who lives in Sierra Madre, California, filmed the bear on Sunday as it enjoyed a leisurely swim in his backyard pool. Temperatures in the area that day reached approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).
The footage shows the sizable bear entering the water and swimming calmly across the pool, appearing completely at ease as it took advantage of the cooling relief. According to Rechtschaffen, once the bear finished its refreshing dip, it climbed out of the pool and continued on its way without incident.
Wildlife experts note that high temperatures drive bears to seek out water sources and shaded areas. Residential neighborhoods increasingly become destinations for these animals, where backyard swimming pools, kiddie pools, and other water features offer tempting relief from the heat.
