Rescued Bear Cubs Take Their First Swim and Their Reaction Is Pure Joy
Nothing signals the start of the spring quite like a pool day, and two black bear cubs' first swim of the season is the definition of pure joy. "Rescued bear cub siblings Timber and Thorn enjoyed their first dip of the season at the Oregon Zoo," @ktlanews writes about their pool playtime. Judging by the way these cubs were splashing around in the popular TikTok video they shared, it appears they loved every minute they spent in the water.
@ktlanews Rescued bear cub siblings Timber and Thorn enjoyed their first dip of the season at the Oregon Zoo, footage shared on April 24 shows.
original sound - KTLA 5 News - KTLA 5 News
These cute baby bears are having so much fun! While this may be their first time diving into the water this season, it definitely won't be their last. And online viewers already seem interested in watching more of the cubs' spring adventures. Thankfully, the Oregon Zoo has kept fans in the loop about Timber and Thorn and their rescue journey.
According to the Oregon Zoo, both of these orphaned black bear cubs were found wandering alone in Alaska. They were rescued and eventually brought to their new home at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo says their names are a nod to their natural habitat and two of Portland's soccer teams.
@oregonzoo tubs out cubs out #bear#splash#tub#animals#oregonzoo
original sound - Oregon Zoo
The two have since bonded, and as you can clearly see in the video, Timber and Thorn act like siblings and best friends. They are having a full-on swim time adventure as they run around, jumping in and out of the water. It even looks like this duo is playing a game of chicken in the pool!
Related: Sedated Bear Starts Falling From Tree -- Then Something Incredible Happened
Why Play Is So Important for Baby Bears
If you're wondering whether their playful nature is typical bear cub behavior, scientists have many theories on the topic. The North American Bear Center suggests several reasons why play may be important for young bears, such as learning their own strength, practicing fighting skills, exercising, and burning off energy.
Young bears can also develop deeper relationships with other bears through play, similar to human children. You could argue that's exactly what's happening with Timber and Thorn, and we can't wait to see more swim time fun with these cubs!
SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 7:20 AM.