Bear Update - Trapping Attempt Unsuccessful
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 26 July 2012 21:16
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials attempted to trap and relocate a bear that had been causing concern among many Ave Maria residents, but the trapping effort was unsuccessful.
Kathleen Smith of the FWC, who had come out to Ave Maria earlier in July to speak with people in the town, said she hoped the bear has decided to move on. A humane box trap had been set in the Middlebrooke area for four nights, which Ms. Smith said is their maximum period, but the bear never showed up. Residents of Middlebrooke were advised in advance that the trap would be placed, and to make sure their children were aware of it.
Ms. Smith and Monica Villa of Ave Maria Development said that efforts were planned to make residents and incoming Ave Maria University students aware of ways to minimize attractants to bears. Litter receptacles outside restaurants in the town center are also being emptied each evening, Ms. Villa said.
After roaming regularly in the town center and other Ave Maria neighborhoods, the bear has not been spotted for at least a week.
Click here for previous Ave Herald story: Bear in Ave Maria Getting Bolder
Click here for Patricia Sette's Collier Citizen Column: You Get All Kinds in Ave Maria