Florida Black Bears were protected by Threatened status until 2012.  That status provided strong penalties for unlawful killings.  Recently the bears have been subjected to mauling by dogs for the sick fun of disturbed individuals.  Compounding this is a recent bill HB 87 that would give poachers a get-out-of-jail card if they claimed their dog was threatened by a bear.

Florida Black Bears need to be protected again by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  We, the undersigned, strongly request that the FWC return the Florida Black Bear to Threatened status.  There are less than 3,500 of the magnificent, iconic animals left in the world.

Floridians want their bears protected by the agency empowered to do so.