What actions would you take upon encountering a black bear in the water? Would you approach it or move away?
And if you discovered that the bear was struggling and in danger of drowning, would you have the courage to attempt a rescue?’
Florida’s wildlife officers were alerted to a bear that had been sighted in the vicinity.

YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – REAL THING TV
The team attempted to tranquilize the bear before transferring it to the rescue site.

YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – REAL THING TV
They had readied the tranquilizer for the mission and embarked on their journey to the last known location of the bear.
After firing the tranquilizer, the bear became agitated and fled from the group.
The rescue team managed to administer the dart accurately, but the black bear was swift enough to evade capture.
Confused and frightened, the bear sprinted towards the ocean in an attempt to escape. It began swimming, but the effects of the medication had already begun to take hold.
Reports of black bear sightings have been on the rise over the past few years.
Black bears typically exhibit caution around human presence, but the lure of potential food sources often leads them to revisit specific areas.

It’s recommended to avoid leaving accessible food outdoors, as this can encourage bears to repeatedly return. Effective food and garbage management are essential for maintaining a harmonious coexistence between humans and bears.
Aware that the black bear was at risk of drowning, biologist Adam Warwick acted on instinct.
Adam plunged into the water and swam toward the struggling black bear. He took the courageous step of doing what he knew would aid the distressed bear, even though it put himself at risk.

Warwick didn’t hesitate for a moment when it came to saving the distressed bear.
While attempting to reach the black bear for the rescue, the bear unexpectedly lunged at him. Fortunately, the sedative had already begun to take effect, rendering the bear drowsy.

Adam arrived at precisely the right moment, as the bear had reached a point where it could no longer swim independently.
The biologist swam toward the shore, bearing the weight of the nearly 400-pound bear.
Despite the bear’s attempted attack during the rescue, Adam only sustained minor scratches.

The bear lay in a deep slumber as the two individuals arrived at the water’s edge.
Possibly, the bear’s profound sleep was a result of both exhaustion and the effects of the tranquilizer.
Kudos to Adam for displaying unwavering dedication throughout the rescue operation!
After successfully securing the bear on the shoreline, the team initiated the required protocol for transferring him to the facility.

Eventually, the bear was relocated to Osceola National Forest.
Explore further details about Adam’s courageous encounter with the bear by watching the video provided below.