Black Bear sighting in Weston, Florida
Categories: Community Information, In The News, Real Estate News, Weston
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Black Bear sighting in Weston.
As reported by local news (Sun Sentinel), for the first time in 30 years a black bear has been spotted near homes in Broward County and officials are warning residents to keep their distance.
The Weston bear was spotted April 18th sitting by the side of Manatee Isles Drive (Widmill Reserve), said spokesman for the state wildlife commission.
According to North American Bear Center (NABC) attacks by black bears are rare and too many warnings about them create unnecessary fear.
Residents have to know how to act in case they see a black bear. NABC indicates: The standard answer nationwide is, “Speak calmly and back away slowly.” This is good advice. It identifies you as a person, shows that you are non-threatening, and gives the bear space. Is following this advice necessary to avoid an attack? No.
Those are polite actions that respect a black bear’s comfort zone and help ease its anxiety. It is the gentle way to separate. More aggressive action would be more likely to increase a black bear’s anxiety and send it running.
Black bears are wild animals but this was their habitat before it became our city so we need to try to get along. Avoid leaving food outside your home and keep garbage cans tightly closed.
IF you should encounter a bear :
Stay calm; remain standing upright and do NOT run; back away slowly and make sure the bear has an escape route to not feel cornered. Retreat to a safe building or car.
For more information on black bears visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
