The state of Florida has ended its moratorium on the hunting of black bears (Ursus americanus floradanus) despite protests from the Humane Society.
“If you go into the woods and kill bears minding their own business, that doesn’t address the problem bears.” states Kate MacFall of the Human society. “The real issue is large-scale trash management in bear country. The problem bears are being drawn by all that food, by the trash.”
Florida officials cite numerous attacks and “public safety” for re-instituting the bear hunts, despite a poll revealing that most Floridians are against the renewal.
The bears can get up to 800lbs, yet their omnivorous diets make them less likely to attack than their larger more aggressive cousin, the grizzly.
Matthew Schwartz, executive director of the South Florida Wildlands Association echoes the sentiments of Florida residents “The idea of bears being killed appalls me.”
The dates for the newly instated “bear season” are yet to be revealed.
