Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/florida-bear-head-stuck-plastic-container/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared on Facebook that the black bear spotted a month ago with a plastic container on her head has been freed.
Officials responded as soon as they received the first report of the female black bear in trouble, but she disappeared before they could help her.
“Our bear biologists, law enforcement, and bear contractors set traps and monitored the area in an effort to remove the container, but after only two sightings, the bear was not seen again for over three weeks,” wrote FWC.
She was seen again 28 days later on a home security camera with her head still stuck inside the plastic container.
The rescue team quickly set up traps and started night patrols of the neighborhood to make sure she didn’t get away again. They finally found her and used a tranquilizer dart to sedate her.
They carefully removed the container and were shocked to see the bear was still in good health. “We think it was part of an automatic pet feeder due to the hole near the bear’s muzzle. Luckily that hole provided enough access to drink and eat. Even after 28 days of wearing it, the bear was still in great physical shape!”
There was a wound around the bear’s neck from the container, which was treated with antibiotics. She was observed for 36 hours before being released back into the Picayune Strand State Forest.
FWC thanked everyone involved for their help in rescuing the bear and asked everyone to be BearWise.
Black bears are found throughout Florida, but there is a way to coexist. Oftentimes, bears will enter a neighborhood looking for food but will move on if they don’t find any.
Therefore, it is important that people do not try and feed the bears, which is illegal and dangerous. They also suggest that people properly secure garbage, pet food, and birdseed so bears are not attracted by the free food.
FWC states “It is easy to live in harmony with bears and save their lives by simply securing the temptation of trash and other attractants.”
Watch the rescue video below and don’t forget to share!
Bear rescueAn adult bear was reported wandering around with a plastic container on its head. Our bear biologists, law enforcement, and bear contractors set traps and monitored the area in an effort to remove the container, but after only two sightings, the bear was not seen again for over three weeks. Finally, the bear was spotted on a resident’s security camera, still wearing the container on its head! Staff set new traps and started night patrols of the neighborhood. They finally spotted the 250lb female bear just before midnight. The bear biologist darted her and removed the plastic container from around her face. We think it was part of an automatic pet feeder due to the hole near the bear’s muzzle. Luckily that hole provided enough access to drink and eat. Even after 28 days of wearing it, the bear was still in great physical shape! She did have a wound encircling her neck and face where the feeder was stuck, but staff cleaned the injury and treated her with antibiotics. After a day and a half of monitoring to make sure she was healthy and able to eat and drink normally, the bear was released by staff in a secure area of Picayune Strand State Forest. A big thanks to our bear biologists, law enforcement, bear contractors, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for making this a success. A great deal of gratitude goes out to the residents of Golden Gate Estates for working together to rescue this bear! Remember to be #BearWise and secure any attractants to avoid conflicts with #bears. Learn more: bit.ly/30s6Kzr#CollierCountyVideo for news media download: vimeo.com/646151042
Posted by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife on Monday, November 15, 2021
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
