MIAMI (AP) _ Florida’s black bears are busy filling their bellies this season.
A statement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says bears are stocking up on calories this fall.
Wildlife officials are asking residents to be extra diligent in securing food sources around their homes and businesses that can attract bears and create problems.
David Telesco is the commission’s bear management program coordinator.
He says preventing access to food is the most important thing people can do to keep bears and other wild animals out of neighborhoods.
As he puts it, stale doughnuts and last night’s leftovers “may be more appealing than foraging in the woods for palmetto berries and acorns.”
Bear-related calls to the commission are up this year in many parts of the state.
