Bear Laps Up Fun in Granada Hills Pool
Search for the bruin was called off less than an hour after residents reported seeing it roaming through backyards.
A bear came down into a northern Granada Hills neighborhood Thursday, drawing police and residents. The bruin took a dip in a backyard pool, amusing the home's owner. Kim Baldonado reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2012.
The search for a bear in Granada Hills was called off Thursday night but not before the bruin roamed through backyards and took a dip in a swimming pool.
"He was just looking at us, and we just looked back at him," according to resident, Phyllis Norlund.
Norlund was inside her home when the bear wandered into her backyard an decided to cool off in her pool before heading back to the street.
"It was just a little dip to cool off, and then along the back and out he went, but he was cute. I liked him," said Norlund.
The bear was first seen strolling through patios in the 13100 block of Whistler Avenue at about 8 p.m.
Photos: Bruin's Nighttime Swim
Police and media helicopters were combing the area for the dark-colored bear who often disappeared among the shadows in the dimly-lit neighborhood. Police choppers used infared lights in an attempt to detect the bear.
Residents reported seeing the bear near Constable Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard, several blocks north of where it was first spotted.
At about 8:30 p.m., police received reports the bear had scurried back into the woods. Soon after, law enforcement broke down their perimeter.
During the search, at least two officers armed with what appeared to be rifles stood guard at the corner of Constable Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard.
