Bear Hunt update: After a long hard fought campaign, the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) approved a hunt that killed over 300 bears. Many of our wildlife organizations, including ALDF, (Animal League Defense Fund) have not backed down and new legislation is in the works to protect the species from future bloodshed. In those 3 short days of brutal killings, the Florida Wildlife Commission may have crippled the Black Bear recovery program. Please sign petitions available and if possible donate, because right now wildlife organizations are putting together legislation to allow continue protection of the Florida Black Bear and to stop trophy hunting, hunting with malice intent. and hopefully initiate humane alternatives to relocate and protect our Black Bear from further harm. Mahalo

SB 1096 would require Florida Wildlife Commission and other state agencies to create policy that would protect black bear habitats that have been destroyed by timber farming, develop strategies to maintain natural bear food sources (like palmetto trees) and assist residents with purchasing bear-proof containers. The bill's sponsor State Senator Soto summed it up best saying, "We need to apply a scientific-based approach founded upon sound research to protect our citizens and the Florida Black Bear."⁴ This is important because Florida Wildlife relied on outdated data to justify the need for a hunt. Even the Florida Judge who ruled against a lawsuit to stop the hunt agreed that they should have used better science before lifting the hunting ban.⁵

Getting this bill through the Florida Assembly will not be easy. It's very possible that Assembly Members and Florida Wildlife Commissioners, some of whom took part in the bear hunt, will do all they can to block a bill that could threaten future hunting seasons.  That's why we're going to have to do everything to promote SB 1096 on billboards, yard signs, flyers and even television and radio ads.

This bill represents a first step to help prevent this beautiful species from being placed back on the Endangered Species list. But if we're going to get it passed, we need everyone to lend a hand. Petitions need to be created and Please chip in $15, $35 or whatever you can to support our ongoing effort to save the Florida Black Bears.

Anthony Rogers-Wright, Environmental Action