They’re one of the largest apex predators in North America. So, watching a brown bear relax isn’t something many people expect to see. But one traveler captured the perfect video of a massive bear floating down a river.
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Check it out:
In the video, a brown bear couldn’t look more relaxed as it floats just feet from a river full of salmon.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present one of the most dangerous predators in the world. Or maybe a teddy bear,” wrote the video poster, Franzi Schimmer, jokingly.
Franzi also mentioned Brooks Falls. The destination in Alaska sits in Katmai National Park. The area is famous for viewing bears as they fatten up for the winter. And we don’t mean famous as in known by people who love the outdoors. Brooks Falls and the Brooks River are home to Fat Bear Week.
The week is dedicated to the bears scarfing down as much salmon as they can before heading into hibernation. People from all over the world check out a webcam to see the contenders that are highlighted by the National Park Service. The event is partly in fun but also brings awareness about wildlife to people thousands of miles away from the wild world of Alaska.
Can a brown bear relax?
The next question is, can bears float? Apparently so. But also, this bear is doing more than just floating; it’s technically called “snorkeling.”
Bears can float thanks to being buoyant from large amounts of fat. Snorkeling allows bears to look underwater while moving through a river. The National Park Service says bears often do it in the summer, but it’s even more common in the fall. That’s when bears are looking for dead and dying salmon along the river banks.
Have you ever looked as relaxed as this bear?
