Bearing with bears

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

09.21.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Miranda Mahoney 

325th Fighter Wing

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates that there are approximately 4,050 black bears in Florida, to include Tyndall. The natural resources office and the FWC work together to track bear sightings and encounters on Tyndall, where a vast array of wildlife reside. Residents are encouraged to know how to bear with the bears.
“The presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to your safety, but it is important to remember that bears are wild animals and deserve respect,” said Rebecca Johnson, a 325th Civil Engineer Squadron biological technician.
An easy way to respect bears is to keep trash cans secure. This also helps keep people safe.
“Bears have been inadvertently locked inside dumpsters that were left unsecure and have either been injured or caused to overheat, or unintentionally taken to the dump inside of a garbage truck,” Johnson said. “Unsecure trash cans left close to the home or inside open garages can lure bears close to homes and can lead to unwanted encounters.”
Other ways to avoid unwanted encounters is to take care of the things that can attract bears, such as pet food, barbeque grills and bird or squirrel feeders.
“A fed bear is a dead bear,” Johnson said. “Once bears lose their natural fear of people, often due to access of food attractants, there is little hope of making the bear wild again. These habituated and food conditioned bears are often killed as a result of bear management actions to keep the community safe.”
It is illegal to intentionally place food or garbage out to attract bears. A good rule of thumb is anything that attracts dogs, cats or raccoons will also attract bears.
However, if someone accidentally comes in contact with a bear, there are guidelines in place for what should and should not be done.
“If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright, and speak to the bear in an assertive and calm voice,” Johnson said. “Back up slowly toward a secure area, and be sure you are leaving the bear a clear escape route. Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior. If a bear attacks you, fight back aggressively. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks or even their bare hands.”
There are several misconceptions for what should be done when in contact with a bear that can actually cause a person more harm.
“Do not make any sudden or abrupt movements,” Johnson said. “Do not run. Running can trigger a chase instinct, and bears can sprint up to 35 mph. Do not play dead because bears eat dead things. Do not climb a tree because bears can climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds.”
For questions concerning bears in the area contact Tyndall’s natural resources office at 850-283-2822. For reporting bear encounters such as lingering bears or bears in trash cans, contact FWC at 850-265-3676. If danger is eminent, call 911.
“Tyndall AFB and FWC are committed to ensuring the well-being of the black bear while addressing property damage and safety concerns of our Tyndall family,” Johnson said.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2018
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 14:42
• Story ID: 293973
• Location: TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US