Springtime in North Florida means blooming flowers, trips to the beach and more active black bears. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are encouraging residents to take precautions as bears come out of hibernation. To keep bears out of neighborhoods, Dave Telesco, who directs the FWC’s Bear Management Program recommends ensuring bears can’t get into the garbage.
“Trash is the number one reason why bears spend time in neighborhoods,” Telesco says.
The FWC also recommends protecting gardens and wildlife, keeping pet food in doors, storing grills inside and picking ripe fruit. Telesco says if bears can’t find food in a neighborhood, they’ll move on.
