MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Through a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marion County is offering discounted bear-proof trash cans to residents.
In 2014, 32 percent of the more than 500 bear complaints to FWC were associated with bears getting into resident's garbage.
Marion County Parks and Recreation and Marion County Solid Waste are offering 64-gallon bear-proof trash cans for $40, a $170 value, and 96-gallon cans for $60, a $180 value.
Interested residents should call Parks and Recreation at 352-671-8560 to purchase. Officials said quantities are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
FWC officials said trash is the No. 1 bear attractor in the state, and using the bear-proof trash cans can deter the animal from thinking a home is a food source.
To learn more about the program, click here.
Cox Media Group
