Police in Florida are cautioning the general public to keep away from taking selfies with a distressed black bear that appeared on Freeway 98 in Santa Rosa Seaside.
The bear, described as “confused and depressed” by the Walton County Sheriff’s Workplace, attracted crowds desperate to snap images, regardless of its clear discomfort.
Rangers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) have been known as after studies of onlookers gathering close to the bear, which was resting by a telegraph pole.
By the point officers arrived, the bear had retreated into close by woods. Officers famous that the bear was doubtless overheated slightly than injured.
Florida’s black bears are generally seen in spring and summer time as they enterprise out to new territories.
Consultants emphasize giving bears house and by no means approaching or feeding them, as shut encounters could cause bears to grow to be defensive.
Latest bear sightings in Florida embrace one strolling by way of a yard in Santa Rosa Seaside, one other on the College of Florida campus, and one in downtown Fort Myers.
These encounters normally contain bears looking for meals.
The FWC estimates that about 4,050 black bears dwell in Florida. Regardless of these numbers, human interactions with bears will be dangerous. In response to security issues, Governor Ron DeSantis not too long ago signed a regulation permitting residents to shoot bears perceived as threats.
This laws, prompted by claims of bears inflicting dwelling break-ins, has sparked controversy and debate.
This text by Trinity Sparke was first revealed by One Inexperienced Planet on 23 July 2024. Picture Credit score :Steele-Shot/Shutterstock.
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