Bear cools off during swim in northern Michigan bay

Micah Walker
Detroit Free Press

With temperatures heating up into the upper 70s and low 80s this weekend, this is the perfect time to go for a swim. 

In the northern Michigan townof Suttons Bay, apparently humans weren't the only ones thinking about taking a dip in the water. 

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office posted a video on its Facebook page Friday of a bear taking a swim in Suttons Bay near the Port Sutton Condominium complex on the north end of the village. The bear swam to the shore, stopping at a private marina. The animal spent some time around the dock and a picnic table before leaving to go into the woods. 

The sheriff's office received the call at 8:30 a.m. from a resident of the condo complex. A Leelanau County Animal Control deputy was dispatched to monitor the bear. 

Sheriff Mike Borkovich said the bear is most likely still in the area, but residents around Leelanau County are used to seeing the animals this time of year. From his 32 years as a Michigan conservation officer, Borkovich has learned that young male bears are visible during June because of breeding season. They are known for wandering around garbage cans, bird feeders, bee hives and orchards. 

"We have somewhere between 20 and 30 bears this time of the year," Borkovich said. "We recommend people put their bird feeders away and only put their garbage cans out on the day the trash is picked up. To a bear, it's a free meal."

More:Oswald's Bear Ranch bear shot during power outage escape

More:Michigan officials hope to rescue, relocate three-legged bear in U.P.