TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Maybe bear will steer clear

ADVERTISEMENT

A staff report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2009

CHASSAHOWITZKA - Trappers on Tuesday night snared a Florida black bear in the backyard of a homeowner in Pasco County. On Wednesday, the bear was tagged and taken north of where it was captured to be released back into the wild.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse said the bear was becoming bothersome in the undisclosed neighborhood because a resident continued to stock a bird feeder that was being raided by the bear.

Once that happens, the bear becomes used to easy eats and strolls to other homes, where it eats from other feeders or garbage cans.

Morse said that when a bear is released in areas near where it was caught, it almost always finds its way back to the easy pickings. If the bear is trapped a second time, it becomes a nuisance animal and faces the possibility of euthanasia, he said.

So the bear was taken north to an undisclosed location. It was released Wednesday afternoon and quickly disappeared into the woods.

The Florida black bear is categorized as a threatened species. They can grow to up to 450 pounds.

A staff report

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT