Bear killed by vehicle; someone removes claws
News Release
Friday, May 21, 2010
Media contact: Lt. Doug Berryman, 850-777-1794
Someone removed the claws of a black bear killed
Thursday night on U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County. Possessing any body
part of a bear is illegal, according to the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Even though the number of black bears in Florida
has increased in recent years, the species is still classified as
"threatened" in most parts of the state. Florida law
prohibits anyone from possessing a listed species or any parts of
those animals unless they have a permit allowing possession.
FWC Lt. Doug Berryman said the approximately
200-pound female bear was killed near Lighthouse Point Drive close
to Navarre Middle School. Motorists reported seeing a bear
cub in the area, but biologists were on the scene most of Friday
morning and could not locate the cub.
"It's unfortunate that bears are sometimes hit and
killed on our roadways, but no one may scavenge or remove any claws
or parts of these animals," Berryman said.
FWC officers believe someone driving a Honda Accord
struck the bear, based on a piece of a bumper found at the
scene.
Berryman said he hopes whoever struck the bear will
call the FWC.
Anyone with information about who took the claws
can contact the Wildlife Alert Reward Hotline at 888-404-3922.
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