FWC releases bear management plan for public review
News Release
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Media contact: Patricia Behnke, 850-251-2130
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) is soliciting public input on a draft bear
management plan. This plan sets up the framework for the FWC to
make effective bear management decisions in conjunction with
stakeholders and the public who live in bear country. The goal of
the plan is to maintain sustainable bear populations in suitable
habitats throughout Florida for the benefit of the species and the
public.
As a result of human population growth and loss of
habitat, the Florida black bear's population varies greatly from
region to region, which requires a management plan that is
adaptable to address the needs of the bear population and the
residents living in those areas. Therefore, the plan creates bear
management units across the state, which will specifically address
the challenges and characteristics of the different areas. Within
those units, black bear assistance groups will work with the FWC to
set management objectives and standards for resolving human-bear
conflicts.
Currently, the two most serious threats to bears
are negative interactions with humans and habitat loss and
fragmentation. As a result, the draft plan sets objectives, which
include conserving an adequate amount of bear habitat, stabilizing
bear complaint levels and securing adequate funding for
implementation.
FWC staff drafted the plan with assistance from a
technical advisory group that included representatives from
environmental groups, hunting clubs and state and federal
agencies.
"We encourage the public to help us improve this
draft and develop the final plan," said Dave Telesco, the FWC's
bear management coordinator. "Feedback from the public will
undoubtedly improve this plan and make it as effective as
possible."
The draft plan is available online for public
review and comment, and public meetings will be held in multiple
locations across the state.
The plan is available for viewing at http://share2.myfwc.com/BearMP/default.aspx.
Public comments will be accepted until Aug. 31. Public meeting
dates and locations will be announced after the FWC meets with
representatives of private and public stakeholder groups to discuss
the best way to gather public input.
For more information on Florida's black bear, go to
MyFWC.com/Bear.
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