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Florida Black Bears
Ursus americanus floridanus
MyFWC
Florida Black Bears Ursus americanus floridanus MyFWC North th - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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▪ 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
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Breeding
▪ June to July ▪ Delayed Implantation
BBCC
▪ Born in February in den
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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
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Diet
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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
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Suzanne Giovanetti
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Curiosity
▪ Stands upright ▪ Ears/nose high ▪ Better to see/smell ▪ NOT aggressive
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Video by Dean Weber
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Defensive/Warning
▪ Like a Rattlesnake ▪ Personal space ▪ We can de-escalate
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Defensive/Warning
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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
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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
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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
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Commercial Garbage
▪ Switch out plastic doors with steel doors ▪ Clip on side
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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
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Gardens, Livestock, and Beeyards
“How-To” video available on YouTube.com/MyFWCvideos
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Bird Feeders
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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
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No remote/empty areas left
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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
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Questions?
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