Florida: Watch out, black bears are breeding, seeking new territory in the early summer
Seen a black bear lately?
You may soon as spring and early summer are when Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) are active and on the move, especially young bears who just recently left their mothers and are in search of their own breeding and feeding space.
Also, mating season runs from June through August here.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent out a reminder to the public last week saying people should be aware that some bears are moving into new territories.
“The most important thing people can do to help these bears is to leave them alone,” said FWC bear management program coordinator Mike Orlando. “Give them plenty of space and let them move along on their own.”
When grown, Florida black bears weigh 250 to 350 pounds, but the record male in Florida weighed a whopping 760 pounds.
The Florida black bear is a subspecies and can be found across the state.
Urban sprawl in various areas of the state is putting more people in bear territory, which increases the chance of an unwanted bear encounter.
Never feed or approach bears
Like most wild animals, black bears can be conditioned when fed. They begin to associate humans with food, and they want their food ― even if it means attacking people.
"Black bears are generally not aggressive but, like any wild animal, if they feel threatened, they can become defensive," an FWC press release says.
During summer, they already eat the caloric value of two large pizzas per day, mostly in the form of berries, fruits and insects. They also scavenge dead birds and small mammals.
It's also illegal to intentionally feed bears.
Reported encounters have risen from 1,104 in 2003 (when records started) to a peak of 6,680 in 2013. There were 5,907 bears encounters reported in 2022, according to FWC records.
Secure bird and other wildlife feeders
Bird food for a bear is like popcorn at the movie theater. They'll quickly snatch a bird feeder off a post and eat everything. Do you keep corn out for deer? Bears love corn and will sit and munch on it for hours.
It is also illegal to leave food or garbage that attracts bears and causes conflicts.
FWC says the public should also protect beehives and compost mounds as they're known to attract bears.
Clean and store grills
Outdoor grills can attract the nose of a bear as they typically smell like the cheeseburgers or ribs you cooked the day before.
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FWC recommends that you clean all grills and store them in a bear-safe building or cage.
Keep your dog close
More than half of the bear incidents recorded by FWC have involved dogs.
FWC recommends keeping your dog on a short leash when in bear territory. Also, don't leave pets outside in bear territory as they may eventually be attacked.
Never leave pet food outside
People who live in bear territory should always feed their pets indoors, FWC says, to avoid drawing attention.
If you must feed animals outside, FWC recommends that you only leave the food out for a short period of time.
Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida black bears more active now: some tips on how to avoid trouble
