A Florida Black Bear
Photo credit: Dr. William Weber
The Endangered Mammals of
Florida
The Florida Black Bear
Ursus americanus floridanus
In the
Seminole
language,
Bear is: no - go - she
Where we live in the Ocala National
Forest,
the Black Bear can be a frequent
visitor.
This year has been especially
difficult for them
as they seem to be wandering closer
and closer to
civilization in search of
food, possibly even water.
A Florida Black Bear
Photo credit: USFWS
We have fairly dry cycles
frequently and Bears
do not have a Bear Grocery Store
where they
can go and pick up their necessary
supplies.
So, they come to where the people
are and
the results are seldom good for the
Bears.
No one wants to see a Florida Black Bear cub suffering like this.
"Jarhead"
was eventually caught by FWC who removed the jar,
then set him and his family free in a much safer area.
Photo credit: FWC
Thoughtless people leave food outside
which attracts the Bears
and when as recently a Bear gets too
close for all the wrong reasons,
they are labeled nuisance Bears that
must be euthanized.
This sad fate should never occur,
unless they attack a human,
which they have never done here.
Perhaps the thoughtless humans should
be euthanized instead?
More commonly, whenever an errant Bear strays into
neighborhoods
where they are not exactly welcome, they are
usually caught,
tranquilized and then released into the Ocala
National Forest.
While we are happy to have them here
with us,
it would be much better for the Bears if
they did not
have to go through the procedure at
all.
There are several tips for keeping
the Bears
out of your yard and out of danger:
Do not ever feed the Bears
Do not leave pet food outside
Do not discard animal carcasses in
your yard
Do not leave bird feeders out at
night
Do not put your trash out the night
before
This sign is graciously
lent by Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph:
The Bear Directory
If we can all try do these few
things, perhaps
we can avoid the Bears being
put at risk or worse,
leaving behind orphans to fend for
themselves when their
mother has been killed by FWS
in response to a tragic situation.
Places to learn more:
Black Bear Facts
Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph
Black Bear Festival
CNN
Florida Black Bear Denied Federal Protection
Daily News
Humans Invading Bear habitat
Defenders.Org
Florida Bears News
Florida Bear Sign Up
DOT
Bear
Underpasses
Overpass for Animals and Humans in Florida
ENN
Black Bear Ambassador
Florida Environment
Wildlife Ambassador, the Florida Black Bear
FNAI
Florida Natural Areas Inventory
Species Summary for Volusia County
FWC
Where the Bears Are
HSUS.ORG
Lawsuit Filed to Protect Black Bear Habitat
Naples News
Environmentalists Sue Over Florida Black Bears' Status
The Nature Conservancy
The Florida Black Bear
State Purchases Wildlife Corridors
State of Florida
Black Bear - Status Report
University of Florida
The Florida Black Bear: A Threatened Species
USF
Rescuing Florida's Black Bear
Tates Hell Swamp
Graphic: Defenders of Wildlife
Conserve Wildlife License Plate Fund
Florida Wildlife License Plate Gains Momentum
Walking with the Alligators
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Last edited March 6, 2020
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