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Be Bear Smart
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How long till it’s gone – Plastics
How long does the plastic you use on a daily basis last in a landfill?
Florida Black Bear
URSUS AMERICANUS FLORIDANUS – THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR – AN UMBRELLA SPECIES
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Don’t Attract Bears
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Be Bear Smart poster
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Register to vote for our bears and enviroment
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Wanted Poster
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URSUS AMERICANUS FLORIDANUS – THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR – AN UMBRELLA SPECIES
URSUS AMERICANUS FLORIDANUS – THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR – AN UMBRELLA SPECIES Did you know… Florida black bears historically roamed throughout Florida and into parts of southern Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. In the 1970s, there were 300-500 individuals left due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as overhunting. For 21 years, Florida black bears were protected from hunting and their numbers increased. However, in 2012 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) removed them from the list so they are once again in danger of being hunted to extinction. Even though numbers have rebounded, they now inhabit only about 18% of their historic range. Source: University of Florida: http://franklin.ifas.ufl.edu/blog/2014/04/25/our-recovering-florida-black-bear-population/ Did you know… There are seven Bear Management Units (BMUs) in Florida, each representing a distinct subpopulation of the subspecies of Florida black bear. Hunting was permitted in four of the seven BMUs in 2015. Isolated from each other due to human encroachment on their habitat and lack of a contiguous wildlife corridor, each of the subpopulations of Florida black bear is in danger of inbreeding depression due to genetic isolation, thus weakening the gene pool. Source: http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/bear/rules/ Did you know… Although classified as carnivores, the Florida black bear’s diet consists of 80% plant material, 15% insects, and 5% animal matter. A major source of the bear’s diet, saw palmetto berries, has been harvested by humans for years. The berries are sold as herbal supplements. In July 2015, three months before the hunt, the state of Florida temporarily halted the harvesting of saw palmetto berries on state land. Destruction of acorn-producing oak trees is also taking away food from the bears and other wildlife. Trees are being destroyed for timber and to make way for more cattle-grazing land in our state and national forests. Did you know… The perceived threat of bears hurting humans is based on irrational fear. There is no documented case of a human being killed by a Florida black bear…EVER! However, humans kill an alarming number of black bears, even excluding legal hunting. While precise figures are not known, annual roadkill numbers have been close to or exceeding 150 (down from the peak of 282 in 2012). Approximately 100 so-called “nuisance” bears are killed every year, most often due to human carelessness such as leaving trash, pet food, bird seed, and dirty barbecue grills outside or in patios. Within the last few years, the FWC has adopted the “one strike you’re out” policy with regard to so-called “nuisance” bears. Did you know… Bears are deemed a “nuisance” merely for going in search of food carelessly left out by humans in residential neighborhoods. In preparation for denning in the winter, bears can consume in excess of 20,000 calories per day. When natural food sources are poor, bears must go in search of food often traveling many miles, which unfortunately puts them in danger of encounters with humans. Did you know… There is no science to support the supposition that hunting decreases human-bear conflicts or that bears that habituate to humans are more likely to be aggressive. Did you know… 3,778 permits were sold to hunt only […]
Take a Quick Exploratory Survey for Wildlife Overpasses
TAKE SURVEY FWC just released the Florida Panther Mortality Update and it is heartbreaking. (link below) Now, more than ever, we need safe wildlife passages. Public Project Planning Chair Ginger Goepper and Director Aymee Laurain have launched a wildlife planning project for safe wildlife passages. They need your help to show public support to FWC, DOT, insurance companies and other agencies they are working with. Please SIGN and SHARE this survey. The survey is to show interest only and not a request for donations. Let’s all work together to bring wildlife passages to Florida for our panthers, bears and the other furry animals whom we share Florida with. Florida Panther Mortality Update TAKE SURVEY HERE
Wildlife
Advocacy
Partners and Donors
How to be an advocate for ordinances and resolutions to your county commissioners
Your local officials want to hear from you, their constituents. They are citizens just like you. Whether you are good at public speaking or not, talk to your officials like a friend. Tell them your concerns and offer a solution. You never know when a brainstorming idea will become a law for the safety of all of us and our wildlife. Here is a sample powerpoint presentation.
IOF Canvas Tote Bag
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
IOF License Plate
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
IOF Metal Dog Tag with Chain
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
IOF 1″x2″ Key Chain Black or White
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
IOF 11oz or 15 oz Ceramic Mug
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
IOF Travel Mug
Once paid, this item will be printed and shipped directly to you from IOF’s printers. Approximate delivery time 2 weeks.
donations
This white paper just released
This white paper just released from the Dr. Matthew J. Aresco
Director, Nokuse Plantation, Joseph M. Guthrie, M.S.
Conservation Biologist, and Dr. Joseph Travis
Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor
Department of Biological Science
Florida State University to the FWC has stated everything our research team has been saying along. Click on the picture to read.
The Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is a subspecies of the American black bear.
Although classified as carnivores, the Florida black bear’s diet consists of 80% plant material, 15% insects, and 5% animal matter. A major source of the bear’s diet, saw palmetto berries, has been harvested by humans for years. The berries are sold as herbal supplements.
FWC Statistics for the 2015 Bear hunt
This FWC spreadsheet shows the data collected from killed bears brought to the check stations during the Hunt. This chart includes number of lactating momma bears, gender, place where killed, fines issued to hunters and more.
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