9 Investigates

9 Investigates decrease in bear calls to FWC

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates whether an ordinance aimed at keeping bears away from humans in Seminole County has worked.

Eyewitness News reported last month that a bear made its way into a Longwood garage for some gelato and zucchini bread. The homeowner admitted to leaving the door open by mistake.

Investigative reporter Karla Ray found out after sweeping changes in Seminole County, similar incidents are decreasing. She'll have that story at 5:45 p.m.

December marks three years since Florida's first bear attack in decades played out just off Markham Woods Road. The victim, Susan Chalfant, survived, and in the summer that followed, her community initiated strict "bear-wise" rules.

“We have our bear-proof trash bins, we put in restrictions for how much they can be out, we've been in touch with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on feedback,” resident Randi Cunningham said.

The rules are similar to an ordinance Seminole County Commissioners passed one year ago for residents living west of Interstate 4. The efforts appear to be working.

In 2014, the year after the first attack, and the year when two additional Seminole County residents were attacked by bears, FWC received 1,014 calls about bear sightings in Seminole County.

Wildlife agents said increased awareness after the attacks, coupled with Florida’s first bear hunt in 20 years in 2015, helped reduce that number to 615 sightings.

So far in 2016, with Seminole County’s new ordinance in full swing, the calls have dropped to just over 300.

In addition to installing bear-proof trash cans in areas that county leaders know are frequented by bears, they also considered more drastic measures. Eyewitness News reported in February when crews from FDOT, FWC and Seminole County surveyed Interstate 4 for potential fencing, with worries that lack of food would force bears across the busy road. Instead, it appears that the animals are headed back to their natural habitat and away from homes.

In addition to reducing the food that bears can get from trash cans, FWC said the forest is producing more acorns this year, which could be keeping bears away. Officials caution that one year of decreased calls doesn’t necessarily constitute a trend.