HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Northwest Florida natives are no strangers to black bear sightings, but residents should remain vigilant and try to reduce interactions with bears as much as possible.
That is why Hurlburt Field is tracking black bear movements, educating personnel on safety protocols to minimize encounters and providing Security Forces Airmen with black bear response training.
Desirae Minns, Center of Environmental Management of Military Lands wildlife biologist, has taken the lead for black bear tracking and monitoring on base. Minns uses the information gathered to understand their movement patterns and determine how to create a safer environment for both humans and wildlife.
Minns said interactions between people and bears have increased across Florida as developments expand and the state population increases.
"If bears continue finding food around people, they can become more comfortable around humans," said Minns. "That can create situations that are unsafe for both people and bears."
Minns said residents can help reduce bear activity by making sure trash containers close and lock properly, securing dumpster lids after use and placing all garbage inside containers.
The Hurlburt environmental team monitors where bears have repeatedly accessed trash containers to determine if damaged or unsecured containers are contributing to the problem and whether additional measures are needed to deter bears from returning.
"We want to discourage them from coming up to our doorsteps," Minns said.
If a bear encounter does occur, Minns recommends remaining calm, making noise so the bear knows a person is nearby and slowly backing away, advising people to not run from a bear.
Environmental personnel have also provided Security Forces Airmen with intensive wildlife interaction response training, reinforcing education as part of the solution.
Reducing access to human food sources and educating the community are important steps in reducing conflicts between people and bears while allowing wildlife to remain in its natural habitat.
"We can't get rid of the bears," Minns said. "This is a part of their natural range and habitat, so we're learning how to live with them."
If you would like to report a bear sighting or damaged trash receptacle, call (850) 884-7916.