Lawmakers are looking to preserve bear habitat.
Following a controversial autumn hunt that ended with the killing of 304 black bears in Florida, a pair of lawmakers are proposing a non-lethal approach to ending human-bear interactions in the state.
House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach and Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, have filed legislation requiring state agencies to adopt rules ensuring the restoration of black bear habitat.
The measure would require the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection to prevent the destruction of habitat through timbering or palmetto berry harvesting on state lands.
Much of the criticism of the October hunt, Florida’s first in more than 20 years, stemmed from the view that it was designed to randomly kill the animals when they generally only prove a problem when they come close to residential areas seeking food.
The largest share of bears killed were in the state’s more sparsely populated eastern Panhandle region. Overall, more than 20 percent of the bears killed were lactating females, meaning orphaned cubs were left following the hunt.
“We need to apply a scientific-based approach founded upon sound research to protect our citizens and Florida’s black bear population,” said Soto, whose bill is SB 1096.
“From preventing new dangerous encounters, to providing funding for bear-proof garbage pails, along with defining and protecting bear habitat and food sources, we have filed this new legislation as a starting point to establish a comprehensive solution for the future,” he said.
Added Pafford, “Anything to help Floridians and Florida black bears live together more successfully is a good thing for the people and the wildlife. I think this bill moves us in the right direction.”
