When you think of dangerous wildlife in Florida you may conjure up images of monster alligators or Daytona Beach during spring break, but for this man in Volusia County, it was a black bear cub that ended up being the threat.
Blake Sprout was letting his dogs outside of his home in east-central Florida when he encountered 3 bears in his yard. Before he could get his dogs back inside, they ran at the bears. The bears attacked his dog Karen and Blake ran up and kicked a juvenile bear which then turned its attention towards him.
The bear bit Blake in the abdomen and once again grabbed Karen and ran off. Blake threw rocks at the bear and it finally released his beloved pet. Karen received several stitches and Blake walked away with puncture wounds and severe bruising from the bite.
Blake does not regret his decision to intervene was happy to take a bear bite to save Karen.
FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION BEAR SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Florida is home to only one kind of bear, the Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus). The only species of bear found east of the Mississippi River is the American black bear. FWC estimates there to be approximately 4,050 bears statewide. Bears roam forests and swamps from Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle to Ocala National Forest in the state’s midsection to Big Cypress National Preserve in Southwest Florida. Bears currently occupy 49 percent of their historic range in seven bear subpopulations. While many subpopulations appear to be doing well, others are clearly still recovering.
If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright, back up slowly and speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice.
Do NOT feed or intentionally attract bears. If a bear eats something on your property, take note of what it is and secure it once the bear leaves.
NEVER approach or surprise a bear. If you see a bear from a distance, enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear. If you are close, do not make any sudden or abrupt movements. Back way slowly and be sure the bear has an obvious escape route.
If you are in your yard,
- Make sure that you are in a safe area and that the bear has a clear escape route. Then, make noise or bang pots and pans to scare the bear away.
- Do NOT turn your back, play dead, climb a tree or run. Back away slowly into the house or secure area.
- Avoid direct eye contact. Bears and many other animals may view this as aggressive behavior.
- Report any bear that is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage to the FWC.