Black Bear Caught On Camera Taking A Swim In Lake Hopatcong

LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ — Lake Hopatcong has been quieter than usual this season after a harmful algae bloom advisory at the start of the reason has kept most swimmers out of the water.

That didn't stop this bear though, who was caught on video have the time of his life going for a swim in Lake Hopatcong.

Captured on by local Bryan Good, the black bear can be seen making his way across the lake before hopping out at someone's dock and moseying up their lawn. (Good did not respond to Patch's request for comment.)

Black bears in the Sussex County area are a fairly common occurrence, including black bears taking a dip in backyard pools. Several of the bruins were spotted swimming during heat waves, like the Lake Hopatcong interloper.

Although it might seem like a strange sight, black bears are very strong swimmers, the NJ DEP says. They usually enter the water for food, but something they hop in the water for the same reasons a human might: to cool off, and to have some fun.

The harmful algae bloom can affect all types of animals, bears included, Larry Hanja from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection told Patch. Bears would likely need to ingest a significant amount of water to see the harmful impacts the algae can have on an animal's liver, but dogs and humans can be affected with much smaller amounts.

Humans and their pets should continue to avoid contact with the water as cyanobacteria levels remain elevated, but Lake Hopatcong remains open for boating.