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With nearly a quarter of Florida’s black bears residing in Southwest Florida, community sightings are a common occurrence. However, those sightings increase during the bear’s breeding season from June to August. Simply seeing a bear is not indicative of a problem, it is just a reminder to take appropriate precautions.
One of the first safety steps that you can take is talk to your neighbors and discuss steps your community can take to minimize risks. In 2018, the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies launched BearWise.org to give residents access to educational materials like Six At-Home Bearwise Basics.
– Cyndee Woolley, APR, C2 Communications
