A surprising sight captivated beachgoers on Sunday as a black bear took an unexpected swim in the Gulf of Mexico near the Silver Dunes condominium. Several witnesses managed to capture the rare moment on video, which quickly went viral. 

• As questions arose about the bear’s presence in the Gulf, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shed light on the situation.

In the footage, the small bear can be seen swimming through the Gulf waters before eventually making its way to shore, emerging unharmed. The bear drew a crowd as it swiftly maneuvered past beach chairs and headed towards the protective dunes.

Many were left wondering why a bear would venture into the Gulf in the first place. FWC addressed this curiosity, explaining that while it is rare to witness a bear swimming near a busy beach, black bears are actually adept swimmers.

“It actually isn’t unusual to hear of black bears swimming in the Gulf, on their way to barrier islands in search of food (will swim for food!),” wrote FWC. The agency added that at this time of year, young bears between the ages of 1 ½ and 2 ½ are dispersing from their mothers’ territories, sometimes ending up in unexpected locations like a city park or a crowded beach.

The FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, reachable at 888-404-FWCC (3922), emphasized the importance of giving bears plenty of space and avoiding any attempts to approach or feed them. In most cases, the bears will move along on their own.

While the video footage provided a fascinating glimpse into the bear’s aquatic adventure, it also highlighted the need to respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance.

FWC encourages anyone who feels threatened by a bear, encounters a sick or injured bear, discovers a deceased or orphaned bear, or witnesses someone harming or intentionally feeding bears to contact their Wildlife Alert Hotline.