Florida Black Bears Ursus americanus floridanus MyFWC North th - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

florida black bears
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Florida Black Bears Ursus americanus floridanus MyFWC North th - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Florida Black Bears Ursus americanus floridanus MyFWC North th 500 00 Wes est Cen entral al Panhandl Pan dle e 1,20 1,200 120 20 East Panhan Pan andl dle e South th 1,060 1,06 Cen entral Big ig B Ben end d 100


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Florida Black Bears

Ursus americanus floridanus

MyFWC

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North th 500 00 Cen entral al 1,20 1,200 South th Cen entral 100 00 South th 1,04 1,040 4,05 050 0 Statewid ide

Cent ntered red on Pub ublic c Lands nds

East Pan Panhan andl dle e 1,06 1,060 Big ig B Ben end d 30 30 Wes est Pan Panhandl dle e 120 20

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▪ 250-450lbs (760 lbs) ▪ 62 sq. miles ▪ More risk-taking

Males vs. Females

Male 350 lbs Female 150 lbs

▪ 125 -250lbs (400 lbs) ▪ 15 sq. miles ▪ More secretive/careful

MyFWC

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Breeding

▪ June to July ▪ Delayed Implantation

BBCC

▪ Born in February in den

MyFWC

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▪ 12 oz at birth ▪ 1-5/litter

(average = 2-3)

Cubs

▪ 5 lbs. by April ▪ Mobile ▪ Stay with adult female 1.5

years

MyFWC

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Diet

MyFWC

Plants nts 80% 80% Insects cts 16% Meat 4% 4%

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Behavior

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Avoidance

▪ 90% of time ▪ Runs ▪ Hides ▪ Climbs

MyFWC

Suzanne Giovanetti

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Curiosity

▪ Stands upright ▪ Ears/nose high ▪ Better to see/smell ▪ NOT aggressive

MyFWC

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Video by Dean Weber

MyFWC

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Defensive/Warning

▪ Like a Rattlesnake ▪ Personal space ▪ We can de-escalate

MyFWC

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Defensive/Warning

MyFWC

Jaw popping Ground stomp Bluff charge Huff Ears pinned back

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How to ‘Scare That Bear’

▪ Human Dominance ▪ Pots and pans ▪ Motion Light/Alarm ▪ Motion Sprinklers ▪ Bear Spray ▪ Paintballs ▪ Slingshot ▪ Air Horns ▪ Firecrackers

MyFWC

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Bear Spray

▪ Easily accessible ▪ Aim just below bear’s face ▪ 2-3 second bursts ▪ 25 feet ▪ More effective than a gun ▪ Wind Direction

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Bear Encounter vs. Bear Attack

▪ Back away slowly ▪ Talk quietly

DO NOT RUN or PLAY DEAD!

▪Fight back

15 people have been injured by bears in Florida

MyFWC

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Human Influence

20 million residents + 113 million visitors/yr

▪ Habituation

  • accustomed to people

▪ Food Conditioned

  • associates people with food

▪ Food Conditioned & Habituated

  • strong association & not afraid to approach

MyFWC

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Commercial Garbage

▪ Switch out plastic doors with steel doors ▪ Clip on side

MyFWC

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Residential Garbage

▪ Secure in building until morning pickup ▪ Retrofit cans ▪ Build caddy ▪ Buy bear-resistant cans

Bear resistant containers and plans for building at: MyFWC.com/Bear

MyFWC

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Gardens, Livestock, and Beeyards

“How-To” video available on YouTube.com/MyFWCvideos

MyFWC

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Bird Feeders

MyFWC

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FWC Policy

Technical assistance via the phone

Emphasis on personal responsibility

Secure attractants because anoth ther er bear r WILL visit Wh Why No Not Trap ap and nd Reloc

  • cat

ate? e?

Moving problem to new area

50% Repeat Offense

70% Return or Wander

No remote/empty areas left

MyFWC

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▪ 68A

68A-4.001 4.001 “(a) Intentionally feeding bears is prohibited except as provided for in this Title. (b) Placing food or garbage, allowing the placement of food or garbage, or offering food

  • r garbage that attracts bears and is likely to

create or creates a nuisance is prohibited after receiving prior written notification from the Commission.”

Feeding Bears is Illegal

Terry DeBruyn

MyFWC

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▪Takes time to learn attractants secure ▪Will return periodically to check…be vigilant! ▪“Scare that Bear” ▪Only need to slip up once

Scare and Secure

MyFWC

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Questions?

MyFWC

“A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear”