Global Courant 2023-05-31 01:58:39
Dramatic video shows how a black bear becomes swept away in raging rapids after it attempted to swim across a river in California.
The video posted on Saturday, May 27, shows the bear jumping into the water and immediately being swept downstream by white-capped currents. The bear’s head bobs underwater several times before it manages to break away from the rapids and furiously swims to shore.
Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Stewart captured the video from the back deck of the Washington Hotel along the Yuba River in Washington, California, he told McClatchy News. The department has warned people to stay out of the river as heavy snowfalls more than doubled the amount of spring runoff typical of the area, he said.
“Well…I think we should add another language to the ‘Stay away, stay alive’ campaign!” department officials said in the caption of the video, which they posted on their Facebook page.
Officials said the bear was found safe.
“Shaked like a dog and went looking for a picnic basket,” officials said.
People were relieved to hear that the bear had made amends.
“I held my breath during the entire video! The current is strong,” they said.
The rapids were so strong that firefighters doubted a human would have gone through the same ordeal.
“No human could have survived that,” they said in the comments.
Stewart estimated the bear weighs about 300 poundsreported ABC10.
Officials shared one public service announcement related to the river in April.
“As a kid growing up on the South Yuba River, there were a lot of rules that other kids didn’t have, but two have stuck with me:
You can’t walk barefoot until it’s mom’s birthday (early May).
You can’t go to the river until the 4th of July.
“Number 2 is especially true this year!” says the message. “With the epic snow pack and warmer weather, the already high river will flow more from Friday as the highland lakes begin to spill.”
Washington, California is about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento.
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