Grizzly gets swim lessons in pool

HELENA, Mont. — A 7-year-old learning how to swim at the local pool is nothing new. Unless it’s an 800-pound grizzly bear taking the plunge. Brutus the bear slapped the water a few times and gingerly backed into the East Helena pool while onlookers gawked Thursday. Casey Anderson was teaching Brutus, born in captivity, how to swim and catch fish for a National Geographic special called “Expedition Kodiak,” scheduled to air next year. Twelve-year-old Mauri Erickson walked over from her house and says it was really cool to see a bear swimming in her favorite pool.