NEWPORT, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — An East Tennessee woman had an unexpected backyard visitor over the weekend when a mother bear and her three cubs wandered onto her property—and took a swim.
Janet Whitlock said she and her brother spotted the bears near a barn behind her Newport home as they were wrapping up their afternoon. She quickly grabbed her phone and began recording as the animals made their way across the yard.
The group eventually reached Whitlock’s pool deck, where the mother bear climbed in for a quick dip while her cubs watched nearby.
After cooling off, the bear cautiously climbed out of the water and continued on her way, leading her cubs away from the property.
Wildlife experts say encounters like this are becoming more common across Tennessee as warmer weather increases bear activity.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reminding residents to follow BearWise safety tips, including never approaching or feeding bears, securing garbage and food sources, and removing bird feeders when bears are active.
Officials also urge homeowners to notify neighbors if bears are spotted in the area to help keep communities safe.
