A large black bear walked across a beach in South Lake Tahoe, California, as beachgoers stared in shock.
The massive animal was in need of some refreshment as it walked along the banks next to the Boathouse on the Pier on August 31. Only kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and pedal boats separated it from the onlookers.
A large, hysterical crowd gathered a few yards down the beach, with some shouting for people to leave. Others seemed content to watch the bear or pull out their phones.
There were also astonished bystanders on the boulevard or on the balcony of the restaurant.
The dogs on the boardwalk seemed even more disturbed, barking as the bear came closer until it disappeared under the pier.
A large black bear walked across a beach in South Lake Tahoe, California on August 31 as beachgoers watched in shock
Beachgoers seemed unfazed by the bear’s presence, gathering a few yards away on the beach, pier and balcony of the Boathouse on the Pier restaurant
In another video, taken by Lisa Enos Martin and posted to the Facebook group “I Love Lake Tahoe,” the bear appears to have been able to swim into the water after startling bystanders.
In the comments section of the video, which has been viewed more than 2,000 times, users had mixed opinions. One person wrote: ‘Love this! Keep Tahoe Bearable’
Another added: ‘Great site but very sad as I have lived in Tahoe for 40 years. I feel so sorry for the Bears. They have no place to go and they rely on human waste. They are just turning into a bunch of rats. Very sad.’
And a third said: ‘Their space, their habitat is being invaded.’
Lisa Enos Martin posted a video on the Facebook group ‘I Love Lake Tahoe’ showing the bear swimming
There are between 25,000 and 35,000 black bears living in California.
But in the Lake Tahoe area, the ability of black bears to adapt to “human-modified environments” is a bigger concern than habitat loss. California Department of Fish and Wildlife according to a report released in April.
The video of the swimming bear comes just three months after a California man was tranquilized after a 300-pound bear walked into his kitchen while he was washing dishes.
Jason Wightman of Sierra Madre said the animal walked through an open door to his home at 5:30 p.m. on June 4.
He shared the five-minute video on Facebook, where it has been viewed more than 2,000 times.
In the video, the bear cautiously peers around the doorway at Wightman before stepping closer. He grabs a spray bottle filled with water before turning and running outside.
Eventually, the bear and another bear standing outside climbed over the fence and walked away.