By Shannen Hayes
The
Sanibel black bear had to be tranquilized a second time after it was relocated
on Jun 21 to the Chassahowitzka national Wildlife refuge just north of Tampa.
The
270-pound black bear, identified by his orange ear tag, was spotted by a University
of South Florida student on July 3 as it wandered the campus. A short time
later the 2-year-old bear was found in a tree just outside the entrance to
Busch Gardens, where he was tranquilized by wildlife officials.
He
has again been relocated to Apalachicola National Forest, the largest U.S.
national forest in Florida and the only one in the panhandle. The adventurous
male bear found its way to Sanibel Island a year ago by most likely swimming from
the mainland via Pine Island. He was tranquilized and relocated after
exhibiting nuisance behavior.
“Although
there was plenty of fruits and grubs to eat, the bear was captured and relocated
because he changed his behavior and became more visible during the daylight
house and began frequenting more populated areas of the island,” said “Ding”
Darling National Wildlife Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik. “The bear didn’t
threaten anyone, but the potential for bear human conflicts increased as the
bear encournted more people and was seen traveling along roadways more often.
Since
the black bear was relocated from his island home, he was spotted at Spring
Hill in Hernando County and Land O’ Lakes in Pasco County before his recent
trip to Busch Gardens and USF, nearly 50 miles from Chassahowitzka.
“The
bear was a young male and was likely approaching breeding age,” said Tritaik. “With
no females available (on Sanibel), he would have searched in vain. Now, he is
in an area where he will have the opportunity to find female bears.”
While
the Florida black bear is not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act,
it is currently listed by the state as “threatened.” However, the Florida black
bear may soon be taken off the state list pending approval of the Black Bear
Management Plan by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Island Reporter (July 13, 2012)
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