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A bear escaping the heat and a duck in a predicament.

Two different circumstances that have been captured on camera, and video.

Black bears frequently wallow in mud during the summer months, but the bruin in the photograph decided to go for a swim instead. The swimming bear was captured by a trail camera set up by Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers on the Delaware State Forest in Pike County. According to PGC Northeast Region information and education specialist Bill Williams, bears wallow in wet, muddy area to cool off and seek relief from insects. The wallow in the photo, which actually looks like a small pond, is used by multiple bears every year, Williams said.

As for the duck, relief is a bit less certain. Visitors to Frances Slocum State Park noticed the duck – a hen mallard, had a fairly large hook in its bill. Park manager Brian Taylor said he has seen the duck as recently as Friday morning and park staff have tried several times to capture it, but to no avail.

“We’ll continue to try to catch it and if the hook is something that can’t be easily removed, we’ll call the Game Commission for assistance,” Taylor said.

On the plus side, Taylor said he hasn’t gotten any reports of the duck struggling to eat and it doesn’t appear to be losing weight. Still, Taylor advised that park users not feed the ducks and anglers to discard their used fishing line and tackle in the receptacles and trash cans placed around the lake.

Staff at Frances Slocum State Park are trying to capture this hen mallard to remove what appears to be a jighead embedded in its bill.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_duck1.jpg.optimal.jpgStaff at Frances Slocum State Park are trying to capture this hen mallard to remove what appears to be a jighead embedded in its bill. Photo courtesy of Joan Cavanaugh

This bear was photographed and filmed swimming in a deep wallow this summer in Pike County.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_bearwallow.jpg.optimal.jpgThis bear was photographed and filmed swimming in a deep wallow this summer in Pike County. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

By Tom Venesky

[email protected]

To see video of the bear cooling off on a hot summer day, visit the online version of this story on timesleader.com

Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TLTomVenesky

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