Bear attacks on humans, including several in Central Florida since last year, nuisance bear calls and an increase in bears killed by cars were among the reasons cited for the need for a hunt.
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The decision to allow bear hunting “is from sound reasoning and careful consideration to the issues involved”, Eggeman said. The lawsuit filed by Speak Up Wekiva claimed the hunt violates an amendment to the Florida constitution that requires the state to protect its natural resources. “We understand that now a legal challenge has been filed to address these concerns”.
The Sierra Club, Environmental Action, the League of Women Voters and the Center for Biological Diversity are calling on FWC to suspend the sale of hunting permits, slated to begin Monday, until the court proceedings end.
FWC will not limit the number of permits that are given, but hunters will be restricted to killing only one bear. “It’s not too late to hit the brakes on this ill-conceived plan”.
FWC has looked to hunting as a way to control a growing bear population in the state, after more bears have been spotted closer to residential areas.
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The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 900,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
