Splashing Pool Guest: A Bear's Midnight Swim in California

Imagine the shock when Leslie Schmid and her husband woke up to find their home security camera had captured a nighttime visitor. A bear decided to take a dip in their swimming pool during a chilly night in Foresthill, California. The bear's cold-weather swim wasn't its first episode, as it had visited once before in July. Leslie Schmid was surprised because their pool doesn't have a heater, meaning the water was cold.

Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, explained that many California bears stay active all year due to easy access to food from human sources like trash. This can make bears bolder and more persistent in seeking food near people's homes. The bear's late-night pool party serves as a reminder that these creatures aren't just summer visitors. Their presence can be a sign that they've learned to associate residential areas with food supplies.

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