FLORIDA, USA — It's bearable!
With fall season on the horizon and as black bears start their "seasonal increase in activity," the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is encouraging Floridians to follow tips given by 'BearWise.'
FWC says bears start consuming more calories in the fall to store up fat reserves for the winter, even in Florida when they don't hibernate as long as they do in colder climates.
"An adult bear needs to consume approximately 20,000 calories a day during the fall," FWC said in a news release. "This seasonal need to increase fat reserves results in more activity from bears while in search of food. When given the opportunity, bears will take advantage of easy meals from things like unsecured trash cans and bird feeders."
FWC Bear Management Program Coordinator Mike Orlando said in the release: "When bears can't find a food source in your yard or neighborhood, they'll move on."
Furthermore, FWC says black bears are generally not aggressive.
FWC wants residents in the Sunshine State to follow the below tips from BearWise, which is a program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies:
1: Never feed or approach bears
- Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people
- It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause conflicts
- Getting close to a wild animal is dangerous
2: Secure food and garbage
- Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning your trash gets picked up rather than the night before
- If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container
- Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters
- Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock with electric fencing
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground
3: Remove or secure bird feeders
- Remove bird feeders where bears are present
- If bird feeders are left up, only put enough food out for birds to finish eating before dark
- Use other options to attract birds, not bears
4: Never leave pet food outdoors
- Feed pets indoors
- If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding
5: Clean and store grills
- Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use
- If mobile, store the grills and/or smokers in a secure shed or garage
6: Alert neighbors to bear activity
- If you see a bear, let your neighbors know
- Share tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears
- Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure
