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FWC: ‘Be Bear Aware’ Because Bear Love Is In The Air
May 24, 2012
Just days after a young male black bear was spotted at an apartment complex in Cantonment, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants the public to know that love is in the air for Florida black bears.
The young black bear was first seen on Sunday, walking about the Wild Oak Farms Apartments, just north of the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 and directly adjacent to Jim Allen Elementary School. During his Sunday visit, the bear reportedly tore into trash and rummaged through a dumpster, but many apartment residents described him as otherwise seeming “friendly”. [Read more about the Cantonment bear here.]
Breeding season for bears runs from June to July, and FWC is reminding homeowners that bears are moving around, foraging for food and looking for mates.
According to FWC bear management program coordinator Dave Telesco, the agency is seeing an increase in calls about bears in neighborhoods around the state. The animals are lured into neighborhoods to feast on unsecured trash. His best advice: Do not feed the bears.
It is also illegal to feed bears in Florida.
“Problems arise when bears have access to people-related food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed or livestock feed,” Telesco said. “Bears learn very quickly to associate people with food, and this puts the animals at increased risk of illegal kills or crossing highways and getting hit by vehicles.”
Black bears normally are too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts. Residents can help these bears “move on,” so they don’t cause a conflict.
“If people remove the attractants, the bears will stay where we want them to stay – in wooded areas – and not enter urban and suburban neighborhoods,” Telesco said.
Properly storing and securing garbage is a proven method of discouraging bears. Barbecue grills should be stored in a secure place, such as a garage or a sturdy shed when they are not in use (typically evenings). Keep garbage cans secure and only place them outside on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before. People can encourage their neighbors, community or local government to use bear-resistant trash containers or dumpsters. To find out where to get them, go to MyFWC.com/Bears and select “Brochures & Other Materials.”
“Another way people can help is to feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding,” Telesco said.
“Relocating bears is not always the best option,” Telesco explained. “Most bears do not stay where we put them, and more than half of the bears we move just end up causing conflicts again in a new location.”
“If you see a black bear, remain calm. Don’t run. Walk calmly toward a building or vehicle and get inside,” Telesco said. “If you have children or pets, bring them inside. Once you are in a secure location, encourage the bear to leave by banging pots and pans, blowing a car or air horn or whistle. The more stressful a bear’s encounter with you, the less likely it is to come back.”
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Remove people and dogs from the area. The bear usually will come down and leave when it feels safe, which is typically after dark.
If the bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock or is causing property damage, report it to the FWC at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Pictured: A young black bear was spotted at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments in Cantonment last Sunday. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “FWC: ‘Be Bear Aware’ Because Bear Love Is In The Air”
You, me, we, “People” are 1 of 2 things to a wild animal. Either food or a threat. They will treat us as such. Are there bears in the area? Duhh. Are there alot ? Not really .Lived lived here all my life & havnt seen a bear or panther. That doesnt mean there not here. they are more night time animals. As some have noted .Leave them alone, Dont leave food out. Dont allow your trash to be thier food. They will move on. Dont shoot them because you can. Only if they are a threat. Which is usually never the case. We put ourselves in danger by going to them. Leave them alone, respect thier space.
People are extremely naive when it comes to wildlife. A cute cuddly bear can mutilate you just like a cougar or lion.
ITS SIMPLE: If I catch you feeding a bear or any other wildlife, I will confront you and let you know not so nicely that your doing wrong. 1st time is a warning.
By feeding the wildlife your inviting them back into my neighborhood where my kids play outside. I will not stand for you feeding them and inviting them back. I will approach and confront you to put you in check.
If your one of the people who say “Oh, we intruded on they’re habitat,” obviously!!! What are we going to do? Demolish the houses and move inward???? Get over yourself! Use your brains people. DON’T FEED THE WILDLIFE. COMMON SENSE.
Black Bear on Garcon Point.
Exiting I-10 exit number 22 heading South on Avalon Blvd, we had a black bear cross Avalon Blvd from East to West just to the South of the Waffle House. I guess he likes trash filled with syrup; ’smothered covered and chunked’. This is the first time that I have seen a bear on Garcon Point. We all need to be careful and take common sense precautions.
Hey there are Florida panthers in Barrineau Park. If there are panthers then yes there are bears. On Jacks Branch Road near Lantham Chapel in the wetlands are all kinds of wildlife. Yes it has been years since they were spotted but that is what you call living in the country……..also known as “God’s Country”.
I live on 35 acres of woods in the Barrineau Park area what are the chances of bears in this area?
Please use the information from the FWC regarding bears. They can be dangerous if scared or cornered. They will move on if left alone with no incentive (food) to stay.