Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared on Facebook that the black bear discovered a month ago with a plastic barrel on its head has been freed.
Officials received reports that the female black bear was in trouble, but it disappeared before they could help.
“Our bear biologists, law enforcement and bear farming contractors set traps and monitored the area in an attempt to remove the container, but after only two sightings the bear was gone. was not seen again for more than three weeks.” Written FWC.
28 days later, she was seen again on the home security camera with her head still stuck inside the plastic bin.
The rescue team quickly set up traps and began night patrols to make sure she didn’t run away again. They eventually find her and use tranquilizer darts to sedate her.
They carefully removed the box and were amazed to see that the bear was still in good health. “We thought it was part of an automatic pet feeder due to the hole near the bear’s snout. Fortunately, that pit provides enough sugar to drink and eat. Even after 28 days of wearing it, the bear is still in excellent physical condition! ”
There was a wound around the bear’s neck from the container, which was treated with antibiotics. She was observed for 36 hours before being released back into the Picayune Strand State Forest.
FWC thanks everyone involved for their help in rescuing the bear and asks everyone to BearWise.
Black bears are found all over Florida, but there is a way to coexist. Usually, bears will enter a neighborhood in search of food but will continue if they can’t find it.
Therefore, it is important that people do not try to feed bears, which is illegal and dangerous. They also recommend that people store trash, pet food and bird seeds properly so that bears are not attracted to free food.
FWC Statuses “It’s easy to get along with bears and save their lives by simply avoiding the temptation of trash and other lures.”
Check out the rescue video below and don’t forget to share!
An adult bear is said to roam with a plastic box on its head. Our bear biologists, law enforcement and bear farming contractors set traps and monitored the area in an effort to remove the container, but after just two sightings, the bear failed was seen again for more than three weeks. The bear was eventually spotted through a resident’s security camera, still with the crate on his head! Staff set up new traps and began night patrols of the neighborhood. They eventually discovered the 250lb female bear just before midnight. The bear biologist lunged at the girl and removed the plastic box from her face. We thought it was part of an automatic pet feeder due to the hole near the bear’s snout. Fortunately, that pit provides enough sugar to drink and eat. Even after 28 days of wearing it, the bear is still in great shape! She had a wound around her neck and face where the feeder got stuck, but staff cleaned the wound and treated her with antibiotics. After a day and a half of monitoring to make sure it was healthy and eating normally, the bear was released by staff in a secure area of the Picayune Strand State Forest. A big thank you to bear biologists, law enforcement, bear contractors, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for making this a success. Many thanks to the residents of Golden Gate Estates for coming together to rescue this bear! Remember to be #BearWise and keep all lures safe to avoid conflicts with #bears. Learn more: https://bit.ly/30s6Kzr#CollierCountyVideo news media download: https://vimeo.com/646151042
Sent by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife on Monday, November 15, 2021
