Breaking News in Florida... I had blogged about this horrific slaughter of bears and put the information into my newsletter for my website about a year ago. This is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Services going rogue and allowed hunting of the Endangered Species of our Black Bear.. over 300 bears, both cubs, and adult bears were slaughtered without mercy in 2015. In fact the hunting was stopped immediately because 300 bears including cubs were killed in a matter of days. Trophy hunters kill for the pleasure and with malice. They do not care how they kill but in doing so it gives them the thrill of kill. We are now facing another possible slaughter and Florida's Fish and Wildlife is under pressure from trophy hunters and the hounds to kill, kill, and kill for 2017. Please sign the petition here that is enclosed and share with everyone, whether you live here in Florida or not your actions count and your voice is heard.. We can stop the 2017 slaughter, as we did for 2016 with our actions and our voice to save the endangered Black Bear. Petitions did work last year, lets do again... mahalo

Protect Florida's black bears  Florida's black bear population has barely recovered from a trophy hunt two years ago that resulted in 304 bears being killed statewide just two days into a week-long hunt. Now, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is facing pressure from hunting groups and houndsmen to allow another trophy hunt of black bears in 2017. The only effective method to resolving human-bear conflicts is taking preventative measures such as keeping yards clean and free of food and managing trash storage. A trophy hunt is not the answer -- black bears could face extinction and orphaned cubs could die of slow starvation or predation. Please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-4676 and let them know that you support keeping Florida's black bear population safe from hunts. You can say, “As a concerned Florida resident, I am asking you not to approve a black bear hunt in Florida. It is unnecessary and ineffective at alleviating conflicts, and it threatens extinction of this subspecies.” After you call, please send a follow-up message. Thank you for all you do for animals. Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO