ORLANDO, Fla. - As fall approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee wants to remind residents of how Florida black bears are “packing on the calories to prepare for the upcoming winter.”
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“You can help protect both people and bears by securing garbage and other items that could attract these animals to where you live and work,” according to an FWC press release. “This time of year, the search for food keeps bears busy up to 20 hours a day as they are looking to increase their body fat for cooler months.”
READ: Black bears spotted roaming Ocoee neighborhood, leaving residents on edge
To reduce conflicts, the FWC released its “BearWise tips” to help teach residents about safeguards that can keep the bears away:
- Secure household garbage in a sturdy shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
- Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
- Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
- Protect gardens, bee yards, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
- Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute ordinances to require trash be secured from bears.
- Feed pets indoors or bring the dishes in after feeding.
- Be aware when walking your dog and use a non-retractable leash.
- Clean grills and store them in a secure place.
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
- Remove wildlife and bird feeders or make them bear-resistant.
“Easy meals in neighborhoods are often more convenient for bears than foraging in the woods, which encourages them to stay in the area,” the release said. “However, if food attractants such as garbage, birdfeeders and pet food are not available, bears have no reason to linger, and they typically leave on their own.”
National parks, like Grand Teton, are also reminding visitors to stop feeding bears as the park had to lethally remove a black bear from the Delta Lake area due to concerning behavior patterns from both the bear and visitors.
READ: National park blasts visitors after black bear feeding forces euthanasia
According to the commission, it is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or to leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause human-bear conflicts.
If you see or suspect that someone is feeding or attracting bears the FWC said to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
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