Black Bears

Florida black bears are beginning to increase their activity as fall descends on Southwest Florida.

Filmmaker Arix Zalace said the Panhandle of Florida is "incredibly important" in terms of biodiversity.

They include funds to research the long-term health impacts of red tide, and more money for the removal of Burmese pythons and other non-native species. The budget now awaits Gov. DeSantis' approval.

The legislation is similar to the “stand your ground” law that allows people to use deadly force against other people threatening them. People who kill bears would not be allowed to eat them or stuff them.

Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, says his bill is needed because of an increase in bears venturing into residential areas of his sprawling North Florida district.

Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida, with the most-recent hunt held in 2015

Bill opponents say the Florida black bear is a timid animal and that unprovoked attacks are rare and fatal attacks even more so.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials made the announcement in St. Petersburg following comments from animal rights advocates.

The captured bear may have been the first to be spotted there, but it is certainly not an anomaly for the state of Florida.

Bears have been spotted throughout Central Florida this season including in crowded metropolitan areas.

There are an estimated 1,000 bears in South Florida living in the conservation areas of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park.

Chuck O'Neal, chairman of the Florida Rights of Nature Network, discusses the impact five amendments to the Florida constitution will have across the state.