Who would have thought a hot tub is a “bear necessity?”
Joie Rushing was out for a hike with her family when a black bear came by and made itself right at home.
Security camera footage shared by Rushing shows a black bear wandering onto the deck of her home in Forest Falls, an unincorporated community about 75 miles east of Los Angeles.After sniffing around for a bit and checking out the inflatable pool on the deck, the bear made its way towards the hot tub, pushed the cover off it and took a quick plunge before stretching out on the deck.
Watch bear take a dip in the hot tub
“You can’t help but watch him have so much fun!” Rushing said about the bear, according Storyful, adding the bear appeared to be “having a blast.”
It is not immediately clear if the property received any damage or if the bear came back after. Rushing did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request to comment on the incident.
Watch: Bougie bear cub takes a dip in $6.9M mansion pool in North Carolina
What to do if you spot a bear
Black bears are distributed abundantly throughout much of California and inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and the urban-wildland interface, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These animals are highly food-motivated and attracted to smells that seem like food, which is why the department recommends securing all food and other attractants to avoid conflict.
The National Park Service suggests keeping the following things in mind in case of an encounter:
Watch: Curious black bear paws at California teen’s leg in close encounter
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Talk in a low, steady voice and do not scream or otherwise act suddenly.
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Make yourself appear as large as possible.
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If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.
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If you see cubs, be extra cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their young. Do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
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It is also permissible to throw items and yell at the bear and fight back if attacked.
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Secure food, garbage and any other food items that are likely to attract bears.
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Travel in groups and pick up small children upon sighting a bear.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bear take a dip in a hot tub in Forest Falls, California: Watch video
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