Bear escapes heat by going for dip in backyard pool

A bear in the US has beat scorching heat by taking a leisurely dip in a suburban backyard pool.

Thomas See of Sierra Madre in southern California arrived home on Sunday afternoon to see the black bear exploring his backyard before jumping into his pool, NBC reports.

As he watched and filmed in surprise the large animal sat on the steps inside his pool before swimming around to escape the 35-degree plus temperatures Californians are currently sweating through as a heatwave grips the state.

"This is unreal," a woman watching the bear with him said in the video.

"Oh my God, how awesome is that!"

Mr See said the bear left his home after around 15 minutes.

The animals have been known to show up in parts of southern California seeking food on trash days but Mr See said he had never seen a bear swimming in in his pool before.

There are believed to be between 25,000 and 30,000 black bears living in southern California.

Source: NBC

Author: Martin Zavan, Approving editor: Nick Pearson