bears

Florida wildlife authorities are calling for public comment on their first update to the state’s bear management plan since the animal was removed from the state’s threatened list in 2012.

Central Floridians are experiencing more Black Bear encounters as temperatures rise and mating season begins.

Florida authorities announced the arrests Wednesday of nine individuals accused of using packs of dogs to maul bears and posting videos online.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the shooting of a bear in Longwood. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office notified FWC of the incident last week.

Lake County’s rolling out a new batch of bear-resistant trash cans. Lake is one of the top five counties for bear-human interaction in the state, according to complaint call data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Florida Legislature appropriated $500,000 for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's “BearWise” program. It provides bear-proof trash cans to local governments that apply.

A homeowners association in Seminole County is trying to stop the black bear buffet line. Every resident in Springs Landing is getting a bear-proof trashcan.

Four central Florida counties are among 12 counties across the state receiving more funding to keep bears out of neighborhoods.

Florida wildlife authorities say the state's bear population is growing at 4,030.They say that is the final estimate after a count in 2014 and 2015. The Florida black bear was removed from the state's threatened list in 2012.

UPDATE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions voted against having a bear hunt this year. After nearly 7 hours of comments, including public input, the commission voted 4 to 3 against a hunt in 2016.