HANOVER TOWNSHIP -- It was quite a surprise for a family in Luzerne County when a bear showed up to take a swim in their backyard swimming pool and it didn't just take a quick dip. The bear swam three separate times Thursday afternoon and it was all caught on camera.
We know bear show up in backyards all over our area, including right here in the WNEP backyard but at a home in Hanover Township, a bear really put on quite a show, going for a swim several times, and all of it caught on camera.
Here's someone who just didn't want to give up on the summer season. The bear snuck into the backyard in Hanover Township, near Nanticoke and went straight for the swimming pool.
He checked out the water for a little bit, took a drink or two, but then it was time for a swim, a long one. The uninvited guest made him or herself right at home.
"It has to be a couple hundred pounds, 200, 300 pounds sitting on the edge here."
Dominic Lombardi is amazed his pool didn't collapse. It all happened in his backyard. His security cameras captured all of it.
"My daughter called me and said there's a bear in the backyard and I thought she was joking."
But no one in the family saw the bear swimming until they checked out the security video and saw the furry fellow wasn't just there for a quick dip. He lounged around like you or I would on a hot summer day. It seems this guy really wanted a nice enjoyable swim.
"Yeah, it was a really nice day, could have maybe used a beer," laughed Lombardi.
And maybe a raft to float on.
But after a while, the bathing bruin did get out.
Speed up the video, though, and you'll see he moseyed around and headed right back for the pool, right back for another swim.
The camera caught the bear leaving after that second swim and caught it popping the kids' ball before heading out.
Three-year-old Nina wasn't too happy with that but was amazed seeing the bear that splashed in her pool.
"He sneaked in my yard!"
A hole under the deck is how they think the bear first got in and out but after its third dip in the pool, the bear decided it wanted a different way to leave.
Three different times in the water, all within about a 15 or 20 minute period, but this time, the bear climbed out and headed for the back fence. It's tough to see, but he decided to make his own escape route back there.
"I just hope he doesn't come back any time soon," Lombardi added.
Lombardi says they saw a similar size bear a few weeks ago, stealing the neighbor's garbage. This time he wasn't after food. Apparently, he just wanted to get a swim in, before it's too late.