ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission picked up a 300-pound dead bear after it was struck by a car on I-95 near 210 in St. Johns County on Wednesday.
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FWC said bears may cross more roads in search of food around this time of year. Juvenile bears disperse and leave their mothers’ home ranges and may be seen in unexpected areas.
Officials said to prevent bears and other wildlife from searching your backyard for food, remove sources like unsecured garbage, pet food, and bird seed from the property.
Florida black bears typically try to avoid people but may linger in neighborhoods if they can access food sources. They will move on if they can’t find food.
To avoid hitting bears and other wildlife, officials advised slowing down when driving, especially on rural highways at dawn or dusk and look out for road signs that identify wildlife crossing areas.
Contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead or orphaned bear.
To learn more about bears and how to avoid conflicts with them, visit MyFWC.com/Bear and BearWise.org.
