Underwater video proves chubby Alaskan bears move gracefully when submerged in water

Bears are known to develop rotund physiques late in the year, but the National Park Service just released a video proving the behemoths can still be downright graceful in water.

The cartoonish clip — captured on a Salmon webcam — shows two Alaskan bears performing an “underwater ballet” that includes an odd combination of a pirouette with the doggy paddle. The stylish moves are set to Johann Strauss II’s classic “The Blue Danube Waltz.”

“Brown bears and black bears mainly venture into the water for hunting purposes (here little salmon!), but also to have a bit of fun,” the National Park Service posted with the video. ⁣”⁣One bear may have a broken rudder. And we’re turning...and turning. Magical!”

The underwater clip, posted Sept. 9, was recorded in the Brooks River at Katmai National Park and Preserve, officials said. The park, about 290 miles southwest of Anchorage, is home to an estimated 2,200 brown bears, which can grow to 10 feet in length and weigh 900 pounds, the NPS says.

However, in their drive to gain fat for hibernation, some males will reach more than 1,000 pounds in October, park service officials say.

NPS officials didn’t say if the two snorkeling bears in the video caught the salmon they were so dramatically chasing.

“How fast do (brown bears) swim? Actually, there is very little research available on the speed on which bears can swim,” the park service posted. “However, bears do have a similar body shape and physiology to that of dogs and therefore do a similar stroke as the ‘doggy paddle’.”

The video has been viewed 85,000 times as of Sept. 11 and prompted more than 6,000 reactions and comments, including some from people rattled by the idea submerged bears are among nature’s underwater terrors.

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water,” Tracy Gale wrote on the NPS Facebook page.

“So cute and yet so terrifying,” Krista Gale posted.