Endangered Species Future Think: Florida Black Bears True Head Count

The latest underlying truth for Florida about its deadly assault on the black bears is clear. Florida black bears may be endangered without protection at this very moment. The 2016 Hunt was called off by Governor Rick Scott. The policy and law are not revised or amended at this time.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission authorized the killing of about 20 percent of the bear population in the October 2015 hunt. With a Florida black bear count of 3,800, the commission sold over 2,200 permits to kill 302 bears during the October hunt. What factors control the permit to bear kill rates during a hunt spread across the state?

Thirty-five (35) mother bears were shot during the hunt in late October of 2015. Florida black bears usually produce offspring at ages 3 to 5 and each bear litter usually has at least two or three bear offspring. Bear cubs drink their mother’s milk for more than 30 weeks after birth. This resulted in about 70 to 105 orphaned baby bear cubs. These young bears without parents die. The real numbers may be higher. This factor increased the likely dead bear count by 25% to 33%.

The average black bear lifespan in the wild is 18 years. Many bears in zoos live significantly longer. The size of a male adult Florida black bear weighs about 126–551 lb and females weigh about 90–375 lb. The low priced bear hunting permit of $100 creates an artificially insignificant value for bear meat and ancillary bear products, such as bear paws and floor rugs.

The real Florida black bear count could reflect an actually endangered status prior to the 2015 hunt. This appears to be the case. A large piece of land must be purchased for a black bear preserve connecting the current areas of existing habitat. This land purchase lowers bear and human interaction and creates a space for bear families to raise cubs.

Past Florida black bear hunting proceeds (at least $350,000) are needed to create this protected space. Central Florida is a treat with its large open spaces. Many large tracts of land qualify as potential animal reserve areas. This space must be large enough for several species to share. There are several additional endangered or threatened species which need a safe habitat. Big cats and spotted owls can share this preserve with eagles and other important Florida animal legacies.

Leadership is needed for the protection of Florida black bears and other endangered species. This is a looming issue. New voices with an active role in animal and environmental protection must fill this void. Leo DiCaprio has a strong record as an animal activist and global climate speaker. The environmental challenge requires standing up to those with the money and power ignore endangered species status when hunting. This is not an exact science and the goal is not to stop all hunting.

Imagine a future where Washington does not have the resources or regulatory authority to supervise endangered species in individual states. This could result from financial collapse related to the reduction or suspension of social security payments. Our national budget is not balanced and this is a low priority line item expense for those uninterested in animal protection and environmental outcomes.

The state of Florida can benefit from state regulators with foresight and courage to imagine a different future. It must take the needed steps for the habitat management of an endangered species sanctuary. These bears are one of Florida’s natural resources. This should not be a petting zoo, but rather a dignified space for threatened and endangered animal species.

©2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Rebecca Stone SpeedyReads.com

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About the Author

Dr. Rebecca Stone earned an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, a Masters Degree from the Texas Health and Science University in Austin, BBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and a foreign Medical Degree in Alternative Medicine. Her medical writing includes over three hundred articles in the field of medicine and alternative medicine. She has written three medical books available online. SpeedyReads publishes all books written by Dr. Rebecca Stone including The New Drone Juggernaut ©2015, Quantum Brain Healing ©2011, Quantum Orthomolecular Medicine ©2011, and Horny Goat Weed, the Magic Chinese Herb ©2015. The most recent book will be available in Spanish in the near future at Barnes & Noble.

Her current status at AMAZON for the Kindle book Horny Goat Weed, the Magic Chinese Herb ©2015 reached the top 5% of paid book sales for its medical category. Dr. Rebecca Stone also wrote The Undersea Adventures of Aladin and Alibaba.