Latest news with #blackbears
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘Barbaric': wildlife advocates criticize Florida bear hunt proposal
It's tough to be a bear in Florida these days, where only a year ago a Republican state congressman was accusing the ursine population of shooting up crack cocaine and trashing people's houses. Then came a controversial new law that allows anybody to shoot and kill any bear perceived as a threat without fear of consequences, which animal advocates say could be bad news for any creature that inadvertently wanders into a back yard. Now wildlife officials have advanced plans for a three-week hunt in December that could see the slaughter of almost 200 black bears, close to 5% of Florida's estimated total. It is a proposal opponents are calling a trophy hunt based on bloodlust, not science, that would reintroduce long outlawed 'barbaric' practices including bear baiting, chasing and cornering the animals with packs of dogs, and killing them with bows and arrows. 'It's open season. It's just 'let's use everything we have against the bears now'. It completely blows my mind,' said Adam Sugalski, founder of Bear Defenders, a member of an alliance of wildlife and environmental groups urging members of the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission (FWC) to reverse course ahead of a final decision in August. 'They already pulled every protection. You can't get in trouble for killing a bear, it seems, and now there's this unregulated hunt. I just kind of feel for these poor souls in the woods with no protections any more, and then they're about to release the hounds on them.' For Sugalski, and other groups including the Sierra Club's Florida chapter, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Defenders of Wildlife, there is more to the story than just emotion. The FWC, they say, is using outdated and incomplete data of bear numbers to justify the hunt and falsely insist the killings are necessary as a conservation measure. By the commission's own admission, the most recent tally of Florida's black bear population – an estimated 4,050 – took place more than 10 years ago, and the FWC has never put a cap on numbers beyond noting how many bears would be too many for available habitat and other resources. 'This is a rich man's hunt. It's not science-based conservation,' said James Scott, former chapter chair of the Sierra Club of Florida and campaign coordinator of the advocacy group Speak Up Wekiva. 'If we got to where bear populations were clearly exceeding the carrying capacity of any given unit, with the negative effects that come with that, that would be justification, a science-based, conservation-based approach to hunting. But they haven't got anywhere near justifying that. 'Instead you have some characters who have worked really hard framing hunting as a conservation tool, and some folks who have ingratiated themselves with commissioners. You also have a commission appointed by the governor, and most of them are land developers. 'So there are powerful interests that have a financial interest in limiting the growth of the bear population.' Scott noted that the FWC's existing bear management plan, updated in 2019, did not propose the reintroduction of hunting, and stated that bears were still listed as a threatened species in Florida as recently as June 2012. 'Fortunately, the Florida black bear population is growing. We have more bears now than at any time in the last 100 years, but our conservation efforts are not finished,' the document said. Also fresh in campaigners' memories is the debacle of the most recent Florida hunt in 2015, a planned week-long event that ended prematurely when more than 3,200 hunters descended on the state and massacred almost 10% of the state's bear population within two days. The eventual death toll of 305 included mothers, cubs and numerous bears below 100lbs, all of which were supposed to be off-limits. Some hunters were found to have illegally baited their targets, and 112 bears were killed in 24 hours in a region of the Florida panhandle where the cap was set at 40. FWC abandoned plans for hunts in subsequent years, until the proposal came up again this year for a 23-day event in December. The hunt, which was given preliminary approval in a 4-1 vote at a commission meeting earlier this month, seeks to 'remove' 187 bears across four zones, and hunters will pay $300 for a permit ($100 for a Florida resident), plus a $5 application fee. A petition launched by Bear Defenders to oppose it has more than 40,000 signatures. Commission officials point to a frequently answered questions page on the FWC website that says why a new bear hunt is required. 'There is a finite amount of suitable bear habitat, so if bear populations continue to grow unchecked, at some point bears will have to start living in more marginal habitats, like neighborhoods,' it said. 'Regulated bear hunting adds a positive value on bears by providing people with additional economic and recreational opportunities. Hunters can use the meat, pelt, fat and other parts of the bear they harvest. In contrast to all other current management action options, regulated hunting generates funding for conservation.' Scott said that the meat argument in particular is spurious. 'That's bullshit. Nobody eats bear meat, it's greasy and not a fun meat to eat,' he said. 'You've got to think about the money and power of the folks that want to hunt bears. They're trophy hunters, the kind of guys that can afford to go to Africa and mow down cheetahs and giraffes and lions and stuff. Let's not kid ourselves here, these guys just want to have a head on a wall.'
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The South Is Having Second Thoughts About Trading Pine Trees for Solar Panels
PERRY, Ga.—Hunters, botanists, residents worried about water quality and people citing Scripture lined up to oppose the installation of 2,100 acres of solar panels next to a wildlife preserve. But it was the plight of the local black bears that doomed the proposal from Silicon Ranch, one of the South's largest solar operators.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Bears spotted in Minnesota suburbs, DNR shares tips
Bear warnings are popping up at a popular park in the West Metro and across the state. The DNR says sightings increase this time of year. At Elm Creek Park Reserve, there's about 5,000 acres of forest and trails. "It's also not far from the rivers, which the bears use as a travel corridor," said Andrew Tri, the Bear Project Leader for the Minnesota DNR. Tri says bears aren't only up north, they're in the burbs. "We've had bear sightings in Saint Louis Park, Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie, in Washington County there's tons of bear sightings," said Tri. "And then even over in Afton and Rochester." Three Rivers Park District says a group of the state's 14,000 - 18,000 cubs were recently spotted at Elm Creek Park Reserve. New signage warns park goers like Dillon Dryja who walks his pups daily. WCCO "It doesn't worry me at all. Black bears are usually docile," said Dryja. "I'm perfectly find with black bears sharing nature with us here in Minnesota." "We're more inter-city than most," said Jos Moss, who was enjoying the park with his family. "So it's a little shocking more than being where we're from up in Elk River." The Three Rivers Park District says that bears have been spotted in Elm Creek since 2020. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, who keeps track of these sightings across the state, partners with national organization BearWise — who both have tips: Never feed or approach bears Making noise when you're out and about Hike in groups Keep your dogs on a leash Secure your trash and recycling (in a locked building or shed) Take your bird feeders down when bears are active Never leave pet food outdoors Clean and store grills Alert neighbors to bear activity Three Rivers Park District told WCCO in statement: "The resident bears at Elm Creek Park Reserve, spend the vast majority of their time in the portions of the park that are off-limits to people, and, should you encounter one, you have no need to fear. Bears are not a threat to people if they don't feel threatened. If you leave the bear alone, it will leave you alone. Most bear sightings that are reported in the park are of the bear running away." Per the DNR, black bears are the only bears in Minnesota. For more information and to report a sighting, click here.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in Vermont
Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in Vermont. The Green Mountain State may no longer be home to catamounts (for now), but there are other potentially dangerous animals to look out for. According to BBC's Science Focus Magazine, mosquitos and snakes are two of the most deadliest animals in the world – and both can be found in Vermont. Plus, you should watch out for moose, black bears and bobcats. Mosquitos are the deadliest animals in the world, killing over 725,000 people a year through diseases like West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). According to the Vermont Department of Health, mosquito season in Vermont begins in the spring, and virus-carrying mosquitos typically emerge in the summer. In 2024, the department found 86 EEE and 64 WNV positive pools of mosquitos, plus a couple human cases. The Department of Health recommends protecting yourself from mosquitos by using insect repellant, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside, and limiting time spent outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active. Vermont is home to eleven species of snakes, most of them harmless. But there is one venomous snake that calls Vermont home: the Timber Rattlesnake. This snake has a triangular shaped head to accommodate venom glands. Vermont's Timber Rattlesnake is endangered and is only found in a few towns in western Rutland County, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. Most bites are not deadly, but it's still important to be able to recognize the species and seek immediate medical attention if bit. There are about 2,000 moose in Vermont. You can find them throughout much of Vermont, but they are most numerous in the Northeast Kingdom and along the Green Mountains, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. At 1,000 pounds and six feet tall, a moose can pose a significant threat if it becomes aggressive. However, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club, there has never been a human fatality from a moose attack in the Northeast. Moose pose a greater danger to people in cars: several people die every year in moose-vehicle car collisions in the Northeast. Black bears are 'remarkable abundant' in Vermont, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. With one of the densest black bear populations in the country, there is approximately one bear for every three square miles. They are most commonly found in the Green Mountains and the Northeast Kingdom. Black bears are generally shy and like to avoid humans, but at up to 500 pounds, they can still be dangerous. If you encounter a bear, Vermont Fish and Wildlife says to remain calm, ensure the bear has an escape route and back away when possible, but do not run away. If attacked, fight back. The danger of crossing paths with a catamount, or a cougar, is a thing of the past in Vermont since the last animal was shot in 1881. However, there is another species of big cat in Vermont: the bobcat. The eastern bobcat is common throughout the state of Vermont, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. While small (around 30 pounds) and rarely attack humans, they can be dangerous like most other wild animals when they feel threatened. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Be aware of these 5 dangerous animals in Vermont
CBC
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Why no one in B.C. knows exactly how many black bears there are
People in B.C. are once again being reminded about black bears. They're out and about across the province after winter hibernation. The animals are one of B.C.'s most recognizable large mammals. As Chad Pawson explains, with thousands killed each year and outdated bear counts, some wildlife advocates want the government to have a better idea of just how many black bears are out there.
