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Lake Patrol officer pulls drowning raccoon from middle of Big Bear Lake

Officer Caleb Nation spotted the struggling animal and brought it aboard his patrol boat on June 6.

By Big Bear News1 min read

A raccoon found itself in serious trouble in the middle of Big Bear Lake on Saturday, June 6, 2026, barely keeping its head above water before a quick-thinking officer stepped in. Lake Patrol Officer Caleb Nation spotted the struggling animal and pulled it aboard his patrol boat, rescuing it from what could have been a fatal swim.

How the raccoon ended up in open water — far from shore — is unclear. Raccoons are capable swimmers, but the open expanse of Big Bear Lake presents obvious dangers for a small animal caught in the current or simply exhausted from the crossing.

Officer Nation's agency had not released a formal statement at the time of publication, and the raccoon's condition and ultimate fate could not be confirmed.

Sources (1)

  1. 1.
    The Grizzly
    A raccoon was hanging on for dear life, close to drowning in the middle of Big Bear Lake, Saturday, June 6.

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About: Lake Patrol officer pulls drowning raccoon from middle of Big Bear Lake

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