Huge bear captivates Florida neighborhood

ABC News’ Will Ganss talked to a dad and his son who captured it on camera.

[@JWRay-xh9wl]

Poor guy was trying to find relief from the heat. He looked too hot for shenanigans,lol.. Glad the dad and the son reacted the way they did towards the wildlife. Hope the bear is ok.

[@planetmooola]

The heat is probably unbearable there

[@karenlowes7802]

Thank you for staying calm and not causing chaos. Animals are also trying to stay hydrated and 😎 cool!

[@ramana2166]

Why everytime the term Florida comes up something like this happens

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Because it is too overly populated to accomodate space alien abduction stories.

[@joshualowe959]

The bear was looking for a place to swim

[@terryKessler42719]

And they didn’t call animal control? Big mistake..

[@shanievans2371]

Indeed

[@capnsmashemfpv969]

How was the bear keeping a safe distance??? It was literally walking past front doors

[@ToniHunterOne]

That's hubrice. It was the humans keeping a safe distance.

[@yifred8135]

Animal is animal

[@rogerrendzak8055]

They meant, from people!!

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Rainbow river state park campground by the office is a prime place to see them first hand in person during the evening hours. Black bears can be dangerous but normally they are not unlike grizzlies.

[@adarrinsmith7491]

BRO I WAS SAYING THE SAME THING WHAT IF SOMEONE WALKED OUT THERE FRONT DOOR SECONDS BEFORE THE BEAR CAME STROLLING ACROSS THERE FRONT YARD????

[@DanielGarcia-lr6vr]

Bruh that bear can easily knock down those doors and eat those people

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Yogi and bobo is in your neighborhood!

[@Yunglerflex]

🧢

[@candicemorgan979]

🙄🙄🙄🙄 black bears are scared of humans and other animals... they don’t eat humans (unless someone dumps your dead body in the woods and they come across it and are really hungry... they would take a donut over any stinky humans any day)... they eat vegan like berries, roots, and apples... they are gentle giants

[@sandracedar368]

WOW! Sadly how we are taking over their homeland - leaving them lost - looking for home comforts & food. He's beautiful, but potentially in harms way because he's not a domestic animal

[@adarrinsmith7491]

exactly

[@michellea3152]

They better not kill him

[@vango7499]

Yes they are all over Naples FL. Especially in Golden Gate.

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Rainbow river state park campground by the office is a prime place to see them first hand in person during the evening hours. Black bears can be dangerous but normally they are not unlike grizzlies.

[@stephpavone]

Aww the poor bear looks so hot 🥵

[@jimmyr660]

I felt bad for him watching him slumber through our neighborhood..but he eventually found the lake in our backyard and took a nice dip =)

[@maryellenshea6358]

Thank you 💟 for staying calm...thanks James Dad❤❤❤

[@kakashigirl2139]

People have to realize that with more and more human encroachment into these territories encounters like this will continue to increase. The key to this is to act casual, not to panic, adapt, and simply know how to act around these animals. Remember this is their habitat first, we're the ones taking it from them. Not the other way around.

[@Blindfolded.911]

Poor bear, those people in the neighborhood has stolen their habitats.

[@suncam57]

Yeah. Bears don't "go to Florida". They've been here for thousands of years, and their numbers have dwindled significantly. Glad they left him alone.

[@Nope991]

Well. That is such a stupid thing to say. The Earth is our habitat too. You vegetarians make me laugh 🤣

[@Bear78420]

@@Nope991 it doesn’t take vegetarian to recognize we overpopulate and do take over many animals homes. It’s not even a debate. The only idiot is the person who argues against what’s true.

[@dom9300]

@@Nope991 not when we are destroying it, you can't just fucking assume that everyone who has an actual brain unlike you are vegetarians

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Kinda like how the wealthy, is making everyone homeless, huh 🤔??

[@jettabartholomew1118]

A fed bear...is a dead bear.

[@cal.712]

When the bear attacks somebody they'll be wishing they called Animal Control.

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Rainbow river state park campground by the office is a prime place to see them first hand in person during the evening hours. Black bears can be dangerous but normally they are not unlike grizzlies.

[@cal.712]

Animal Control should have been called immediately to have the bear relocated. these people are idiots🙄

[@jazzfan7491]

pretty rare black bear behavior. they usually run away from humans. however some get used to eating doritos from the trash. and that ultimately leads to trouble usually

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Thank you for pointing out facts about them. I find it comical in some of these ignorant comments in this section by people whom have zero knowledge about black bears in general, they are not like grizzlies at all in regards to territory and overall aggression levels.

[@jazzfan7491]

@@supportyourtroopsathletes6460 I live in LA and had to look up where Naples is. Was surprised at how far south that is in Florida. It's likely any bear or bears in that heavily populated an area are "habituated" as the experts say, to humans. If they're not scared of humans, that means they're going to have more encounters with humans, and ultimately a conflict of some sort, and that means they'll probably be put down. Especially this guy just waltzing through the suburbs in broad daylight. Sad situation. Thanks for your comment.

[@jazzfan7491]

@@supportyourtroopsathletes6460 Really you would think the local news would call up the local wildlife professor at the local university and get some real facts about a bear wandering the suburbs in daylight. There is so much wildlife in Florida they must have some experts who know their stuff

[@Bear78420]

Bears are my favorite animal but it was extremely irresponsible and dangerous to not notify someone. They just go bowling? It was walking through yards. What if someone walked out their door. Or let their kids or pets go out to play. If anything happened, it’d be on this guy for not letting the neighbors know a bear was around

[@cali2468]

You have it backwards. People built houses in this bears territory. This is an alpha male black bear patrolling his turf. He wasn't looking to bother anyone, just looking for a dip in the pool. The residents did the right thing.

[@zane8789]

Uhhh, there's no law saying you need to report a bear if you see one. Also, you're one of those people that think the world only belongs to humans. Crazy. Bears have lived in Florida for tens of thousands of years, and for some reason you think we should just go in and get rid of them because 'theyre dangerous.' Snakes are dangerous, very good at hiding, and some are quicker than a bear. They're also much more common than bears. Does that mean we need to report a venomous snake everytime we see one lmao? No it doesn't. Doesn't seem like bears are your favorite animal if you're not willing to let a wild bear live in the wild.

[@cali2468]

@yellow I highly doubt it. Naples is home to black bears and Florida Panthers.

[@lapis591]

@yellow A bear is NOT a f**king 'pet!' Good god, this is why wildlife is being devastated the world over.

[@adarrinsmith7491]

exactly there laughing on camera but they its just not just dangerous for humans it can be dangerous and detrimental to the bear as well

[@hankterreros223]

Is this what they meant by "You having the right to bear arms"?

[@csandford6011]

I wouldn't want to be walking out to my mailbox and have Bruce show up

[@gioiaferrante]

Bear 🐻 have been walking around new jerseys as well. Up and down the road stealing trash and water. I wouldn't call animal control either. They hurt them instead of putting them to sleep and putting them far into the woods. How cute he has a name now Bruce the bear 🐻. I think he found a new home and loved his day. Amazing experience to see

[@Readysetgo2007]

The animal control never operates in a friendly way...? This bear was very cute btw. 🙂

[@gioiaferrante]

@@Readysetgo2007 their all cute aren't they. Animal control needs a lesson in being human to wildlife. I believe Bruce may have found a new home 😆. I'd love to know who named him.

[@Readysetgo2007]

@@gioiaferrante Maybe not reasonable to call animal control anyways? Cause you should only call them if you're in trouble or if the animal's in trouble, right? Here we only see bear and humans sharing space in a respectful way. And that's all we want to see really. And it's good if this can work, I mean, the humans are anyways living in bear territory, right? And that's ok I suppose, but then they also should be ok with sharing space with bears.

[@candicemorgan979]

Actually the resource to call would be the fish and game 🤷🏼‍♀️ They work with biologists to determine if the bear is just passing through (which they’ll let it keep moving or might “harass it” which is usually just chasing, clapping, yelling to encourage faster movement back towards the woods), or if they need to relocate it- if it’s an immediate threat (which this one wasn’t), they tranquilize it and take it to the woods, if it can wait up to 24 hours or so, they’ll set a live trap (these big cylinders that they put bait in- they go to get the bait, the door closes, they take the bear to a safe location ASAP- it doesn’t hurt the bear)

[@gioiaferrante]

@@Readysetgo2007 agree

[@vitomcsween974]

Everybody let's just give the bear a break he just wants to take a stroll in the neighborhood

[@blank3494]

Gives homeless man a break 😫

[@dawidekosrs896]

Ya walk in front of that thing and you’ll understand fear lmao. Can’t even understand how strong a bear is. Literally take that over a lion. Pure mass.

[@candicemorgan979]

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ There’s too much fear mongering when it comes to animals and not enough education... this is a black bear- they are more scared of humans than humans are of it 🤷🏼‍♀️ Unless humans have fed the bear and it’s hungry or you get between a mama and her cubs, black bears will run off if they know a human is around (eg you yell at it or clap your hands; or even if they hear you talking)... also black bears all over the world as well as grizzlies in the lower 48 and Canada, largely eat a vegetarian diet (roots, berries, fruits, etc); the only meat they generally eat is scavenged meat (like they come across a carcass)... I’m not scared of a black bear unless it’s sick 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’ve even seen idiot tourists jump out of their cars and run within 5 feet of scavenging bears (which is actually illegal where I was)- surrounding a bear like that could also be dangerous if it feels threatened 🙄 but these bears are basically big dogs 🤷🏼‍♀️ They are generally gentle ... even bears that eat meat usually aren’t interested in humans- one filming that nat geo did of Alaskan bears (which do eat meat regularly) while the bears were hunting and eating salmon, actually had some of the bears come up and start surrounding them and then they just plopped down and watched the nat geo ppl 🤷🏼‍♀️ Animals are curious creatures just like humans

[@jthomas8263]

It's a Subspecies of the American Black Bear.

[@JohnDoe-do3fm]

While I agree that we are overtaking the natural habitat of wild animals, I also am aware of how dangerous these animals are and am horrified that this bear is within eating distance of children. Bear should be safely relocated somewhere away from civilization.

[@TheBasher-_-]

You know humans are animals. Every where on this planet is our natural habitat. Hell even the moon is ours. 😂

[@victorfontaine4943]

Yeah I see what you mean, ITS THE BEARS FAULT AND HE SHOULD LEAVE…

[@wittle5788]

Or we could stop invading their space. Also humans are animals are they mire dangerous than any other

[@ihaveautism666]

@@TheBasher-_- you a coward

[@ihaveautism666]

It’s the bears habitat you dumb fückïng bitch

[@kathleengooch3619]

Stop building the wildlife have no place to go 😒

[@therealsongstress]

He just casually walkin the streets

[@nicecutie]

the bear has every right to walk his street he was there first. as long as he is not bothering anybody.

[@marciawatley9659]

Kidz are so cuute😁

[@ivareskesner2019]

Somebody stole his picanic basket...

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

I stole the picanic basket. Yogi owed it to me and bobo had no say in it.

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Ranger Smith had the day off.

[@sandburgmartin7947]

The Florida wind blew Yogi's hat off. Hope he had SP 500 sunscreen.

[@goldengoose97]

My best friend lives in a very nice neighborhood where bears are all over ram sacking garbage cans every single night running through their yards , nobody does anything about it. If you even shoot the bear with aBB gun you get in trouble. Northgate Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

[@ihaveautism666]

Good. Why tf would you shoot a bear with a BB gun dumb bitch

[@kykwiltz402]

Defend the right to arm bears.

[@cali2468]

Is your friend's house near bear habitat or in the city?

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

To keep that from happening, keep the garbage in a secure area. And separate the food waste.

[@candicemorgan979]

they could just get bear resistant trash cans and/or only put their cans out the morning of trash day 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sounds like fish and game needs to have a chat with them about it to educate them... Bears and other animals are just like humans- they’re lazy! They will eat what is easiest to get 🤷🏼‍♀️ Also they could choose not to waste food 🤷🏼‍♀️ If they all only put trash out on trash day, the bears will leave and go back to foraging in the woods 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@patriciatinkey2677]

All fun & games till your pets become bear chow!

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

You need to really learn more about different species of animals.

[@adamkassemtv]

A young "Florida Man" in the making

[@mamapoch1915]

Okay, if I saw a giant bear roaming around my neighborhood, I'd put my house up for sale and move to a state that doesn't have bears. I'm very confused by how everyone seems to think Bruce is just a cuddly little guy. Bruce is an apex predator and though humans are not normally part of their diet, not at all, Bruce is very capable of severely injuring and killing someone in that neighborhood.

[@jajanesaddictions]

Did you not hear that they stayed at a safe distance inside their homes? That they left the bear alone? The bear didn't bother them and they didn't bother the bear. You seem to be the histrionic type. Ya, you shouldn't go out into nature. Stay locked up in your sterile, boring ways. But, I can respect your opinion, tho I strongly disagree,

[@alostbard]

Alligators are much more dangerous than black bears, but for some reason Florida is filled with developments right next to swamps.

[@mamapoch1915]

@@jajanesaddictions 😹😹😹

[@candicemorgan979]

@mamapoch get fucking woke! And stop fear mongering! Bruce is a black bear- black bears are vegan 99.9% of the time- they eat things like apples, roots, and berries... if they eat meat it’s meat they have scavenged off a carcass 🤷🏼‍♀️ Also black bears are giant scaredy-cats; they’re even scared of tiny dogs if the dogs bark or chase them... they are gentle giants... in Florida I would be a lot more scared of alligators, spiders, snakes, and bull sharks 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mildredbrown516]

O, my , huge baby " wow "

[@RikodiusRex]

Love you Bruce!

[@smallsmall5062]

Cutting down woods for shopping markets. They got no where to go ..

[@ericB3444]

My team has named this bear EDGAR.

[@astro1498]

If this ever happens too anyone any there Isn’t any water nearby wait until the bear is far and set a bowl of water out

[@elizabethanna]

James is adorable

[@jimmyr660]

He said thank you!!

[@Thunder_Dome45]

I'd just hide my picnic basket. I heard they like those.

[@ktbowersbellsouth]

Demanding a guest pass !! Why are you in this neighborhood? If it had been a polar bear it wouldn't be treated like this.. SMH..

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Even bears go to Florida, to retire? But he's NOT grey. Or bald.

[@yifred8135]

He is looking houses to buy first

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Looks like he has the tall black socks though.

[@alisaclark7506]

Thank ya

[@zane8789]

These bears aren't taking over your neighborhoods. You're taking over their habitat. I wouldn't be surprised to see an uptick in deaths caused by bears. With the amount of new construction going on in Florida, this doesn't surprise me. I moved away two years ago from Florida. Just went back to visit and the town I'm from has basically doubled in size just in 2 years. I'm talking, neighborhoods popped up where there was miles and miles of trees. New shopping centers, etc. It's insane how quickly Florida is developing. I'm sure we will also be seeing more deaths caused by alligators. What do we do then? Just kill all the bears and gators? That'll completely ruin the ecosystem.

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Rainbow river state park campground by the office is a prime place to see them first hand in person during the evening hours. Black bears can be dangerous but normally they are not unlike grizzlies.

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Not to mention poisonous and large constrictor snakes. But the mosquitos will never be an endangered species, plenty of blood meals for them.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

And I think I saw Ron DeSantis at some "python rally". That is something I would want to see removed because they are an invasive species. People put them there and ruined that area.

[@elena3563]

They always stroll around in Naples. And swim in the pools there.

[@alostbard]

For several years I have worked at a hotel in Colorado Springs that have multiple black bears on property every day this time of year, though mostly at night. These black bears having been frequenting this property for decades, with hundreds of tourists every day without incident. The only time I even witnessed a bear take a stand and grunt aggressively is when a bunch of drunk frat boys from Texas were throwing beer bottles at it. Seriously, black bears act like nothing more than very large raccoons. Secure your trash, give them space, and you'll find that co-existing with them is very easy.

[@eldondye1809]

100% correct. I see a half dozen a year in my yard. No issues.

[@MrMiamiswaggz305]

Imagine taking out your trash with those God forsaken noise canceling apple ear pods 🥺😭😭😭

[@beastmode7013]

lol smh when they came back from bowling they found out the bear killed 2 humans and someones pet

[@shanievans2371]

Exactly! Bad choice

[@jimmyr660]

This is my video..As I commented earlier everyone in the neighborhood received an immediate text message as soon as the bear made its way past the front gate. I was going bowling as a fathers day gift with my 4 year old and 7 year old (wifey working). I also know multiple people were calling all sorts of law enforcement to get the bear out of the neighborhood so there was no reason for me to call them (I'm on a group text with people in the neighborhood and they were telling me they were on the phone with the police, wildlife office, firestation (which is right around the corner), etc.. There were at a minimum 30 people on their porches or in their homes watching the bear and taking videos of it in awe. It was pretty incredible. I wasn't alone out there just letting it roam without anyone knowing it was there - I wouldn't do that. But I also didn't want to stress the bear out or cause it harm so myself - along with everyone else - gave the bear space and let it walk around and take a dip in the pond. It was awesome to see with my kids

[@davidtuttle7556]

Poor Yogi. He was just looking for a picnic basket.

[@glowingcrowns1692]

Bears in Florida? Wow

[@paulmackiewicz9836]

Watch for the gators , Mr. Bear!

[@cynthialewis4313]

Yeah but what about alligators? Would they attack him?

[@TermaineJenkins]

Absolutely crazy. People have more money than sense in Florida.

[@nicecutie]

leave the bear alone.

[@doricetimko332]

So glad they let the bear do his thing

[@jamesandrews1190]

U R TRYING TO TELL THE GENERAL PUBLIC HOW U KNOW WHAT THIS BEAR HAS IN MIND???CRAZY

[@jamesrapp9778]

Show more of this... cheers mate 😎 👌

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Come to Florida and see " *Yogi, not Bruce* yourself.

[@jimmyr660]

Thank you =)

[@kathlynt417]

We are taking over their habitat but the bear should be relocated somewhere else so the bear and the people can't get hurt .

[@rjdankert]

Oh, that's just Ron.

[@BlackFrostMusic]

This news is too much to bear…

[@Amburmist]

Daaaaamn, whata pair 🥜on big papa, obvi!! 2:07

[@LowkAlexander]

Bears in Florida seems odd but I guess

[@evemcgrail8867]

Wow a real teddy he just wanted too cool off than some food maybe

[@tringuyen7519]

Bears have been in Florida for millions of years. They’re the residents. We are the visitors! I would have given him a bowl of fruits and ice!

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Agreed

[@adarrinsmith7491]

NO NOT A GOOD IDEA THAT IS NOT NATURAL WHATSO EVER AND EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE HELPING YOU WOULD ACTUALLY CAUSE MORE HARM

[@TermaineJenkins]

It's a bear not a pet dude. It would get put down if you did that

[@justmejenny7986]

And that would get him killed.

[@Fitnessat40years]

2 bears showed up in my family's property in Naples. They are saying they are going to shoot them. Is there another way? They called animal control and they told them to kill them if they needed to. Anyone want to take care of these bears?

[@ckg-mr5uq]

Please do not feed the bear.

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Whole new meme: "FLORIDA BEAR" !!

[@israeliglesias9689]

I actually have Bruce eating my mango fruits

[@alisaclark7506]

He's beautiful

[@maragreentrees1405]

Bear did need to relocate. For safety of bear and neighbors.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Not to retire. They have been there all along. Florida is part of the black bears natural habitat.

[@chrisyunge8569]

Looking for meat, dog or cat or anything, should call animal control immediately, youre in a developed neighborhood, this is seriously dangerous.!!!!

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Who the f--ck are you giving direct orders?

[@JB1956kc]

You moved into their territory.... There's also panthers and gaiters

[@nellytamayo3414]

This guy is so clueless not to notify the authorities the damage this animal can do is massive. Can you imagine parents letting their kids go into the yard and encountering this? He's so clueless he thinks this bear is harmless, Just irresponsible.

[@candicemorgan979]

🙄🙄🙄 stop fear mongering..black bears like Bruce are big babies.. they’ll even run from a 5lb dog if it barks or chases them 🤷🏼‍♀️ there’s a way to coexist with animals... we have woods around us and we have coyotes (much more dangerous than black bears) and we all coexist with them... they all leave us alone and we leave them alone.... I’ve even had one run by me and my 5lb dog when I took my dog for a walk late one night (the coyote was chasing a rabbit and came within a foot of us) and it completely ignored us.. I’ve also seen the pack out several times and they ignored us also 🤷🏼‍♀️ I would rather come across a black bear though 😂 they are big babies

[@kennethmatthew9638]

Give disneyworld back to the animals, bear habitat

[@w_t_v_s]

3 days ago the police killed a black bear walking through my neighborhood in Royal palm beach Florida...its been more reports of bears roaming closer to civilization every day in Florida, should we be concerned?

[@roseducharme3836]

Yikes!! Please don't hurt him 🥺

[@panthr7409]

Poor Jimmy

[@artmonarchia5814]

2022, The father sounds very immature: (so I would expect for the child to not be to far behind. This was the father's chance to explain to his son to see wild animals coming into neighborhoods among people that is not good, instead they made jokes. People you better wake-up this earth as we know it is changing every second.

[@jimmyr660]

This was a very small clip of the whole encounter we had with the bear. I talked to my son and my daughter about the bear (and bears in general). =)

[@josephgriffin2388]

DEAR GOD!!! Hide the trash cans!! What will we do??

[@jamesandrews1190]

What if u SAW A LION OR TIGER ?

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Bet a lot more locals honor the leash law for their little high maintenance dogs. Some would be a snack on the go for a bear.

[@candicemorgan979]

🙄🙄🙄🙄 Bruce and other black bears are scared of dogs, even tiny ones... they don’t eat dogs.., they eat honey, berries, apples, roots, etc... the only meat they eat is scavenged meat (dead animals something else killed)... please educate yourself and stop fear mongering

[@madjack8893]

Mannn don’t shoot this bear.

[@jimmyr660]

Hey Everyone - this is my video. The bear took a short stroll through the neighborhood and made his way out..after a quick dip in the pond behind our home. He was MASSIVE but very docile (at the time). It was a good opportunity and learning experience for my children to see something they may never get to see again - and other people in my neighborhood were already on the phone calling evvvvveryone (police, wildlife, fireman, etc..) because they didn't know what to do. This isn't the first bear in our community however it is (by far) the largest and the only one I've seen in the daytime (typically they come in the middle of the night and raid the garbage..but even that is rare). I've lived in the area almost 40 years so I'm familiar with the local wildlife..and I respect it and keep my distance (I was in my truck taking the video). I hope Bruce the Bear finds a nice spot to rest and get out of the heat

[@candicemorgan979]

Black bears are big babies... very skiddish.. my guess is he was going between forests in his habitat range... if you are concerned, you should call fish and game... they usually work with biologists to safely remove bears and relocate them if they become a problem ... but I wouldn’t worry about a black bear... in bear areas you and all neighbors should keep your garbage inside (like a garage or in your home) until the morning of trash day... this keeps bears from scavenging trash and returning... I’ve been in bear country during high season and never had an issue with bears (bc we followed safety guidelines)- even got nosed by one in my sleep! 😬 but he took one smell and said, “no food here!” And left

[@jessicam9121]

HUMANS are driving these beautiful babies out of their homes! Stop building crap! 🐻🐻🐻🐻

[@jamesandrews1190]

Remember a bear CAN Turn on You and animal control officer/worker's should of been notified as a PROPER parentals procedure

[@candicemorgan979]

🙄🙄🙄🙄 black bears are notorious babies.... they will run if you yell at them.. also it’s not animal control, it’s fish and game that handles wildlife ... my guess is he was migrating within his habitat range... he has probably moved on and fish and game would just suggest letting him do so and to leave home alone... Florida is bear country and those living there should educate themselves on bear safety 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@goatedbross9975]

OH My Gosh Dude. Yeah

[@leftfinned]

Poor bear

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Floridians. AVOID bears but PLEASE check out COMPLETE vids about ways to try and escape bear attacks if you find yourself cornered. The one that comes to mind is to extend arms up and to side to make yourself look bigger while yelling loudly. Hopefully bear goes away. Find escape if possible. A BEAR CAN OUTRUN YOU. Bears with cubs are more aggressive. This is not professional advice, just an average outdoors enthusiast.

[@robertcampomizzi7988]

They decided not to call animal control. Stand up citizens right there! Wtf!? How did he say that in a positive tone????

[@reneaMichealMartin684]

Exactly.

[@shanievans2371]

Can’t fathom not calling! Pray that the no -call doesn’t come back to ‘bite’ some poor human. Sad. We have to be responsible citizens.

[@reddiamond9585]

For people saying we’re taking over the bear’s natural habitat, where are we supposed to go? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@budknight8868]

😂😂😂 Your not the sharpest tool in the shed. This literally just means to respect the animals... our predecessors. In most cases the police do not help.

[@reddiamond9585]

@@budknight8868 If you’re saying I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, at least spell “you’re” correctly. It’s not “your”, it’s “you’re” in the context of your statement. Sharpen your tool Bud! 😂🙄

[@sonnybimbo2940]

Ranger Smith is not going to like this yogi.

[@joshualowe959]

I love bears😀

[@haveaseatmarj]

Alligators, bears oh my

[@JB1956kc]

They were here first

[@JB1956kc]

And you're forgetting about the Panthers

[@QS0924]

that little boy is hilarious lol

[@uf9309]

I didn’t even know Florida had bears

[@cooblur]

I grew in Fort Lauderdale my entire life and just found this out today 😮‍💨😮‍💨...

[@bxi1547]

I didn’t either until I was stationed there.

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

They are more in rural areas of the state. A great place to see them in the evening guaranteed is the rainbow river springs state park by the office nearly every night. Golden glades at the highway 75 exit/entry point on the west end by the rangers station on alligator alley is also a hotspot as one heads towards Florida city and the big cypress reserves if you ever get to visit the area.

[@sandburgmartin7947]

Great to see the state has more to offer than 'politicians' and "FLORIDA MAN", "FLORIDA WOMAN" stories.

[@discerningtruth6848]

This massive bear was a bit menacing for the neighbors.

[@JB1956kc]

The neighbors moved in to that territory on purpose. And sadly Collier County has agreed to allow many more subdivisions to be made East of 75....directly in bear, panther & gator country. they were there first.... YOU are invading their territory. they are just trying to survive

[@discerningtruth6848]

@@JB1956kcWhy would a family move into the bear's territory? Do the families knowingly jeopardized moving into territory of bears?

[@discerningtruth6848]

@@JB1956kc Why would they jeopardize their children and themselves from the onslaught of predator animals?

[@nellytamayo3414]

Oh I can co-exist and I'm not spreading fear, it's called being cautious they are wild animals and you don't know how they will react in a given situation. You can' guarantee they won't harm you all animals in the wild are unpredictable.

[@Zacnv]

❤️🐻

[@Nick210]

My wife and I were in Naples house hunting yesterday. We didn’t know there were bears, Christ.

[@adarrinsmith7491]

THERE ARE ALL OVER FLORIDA BUT GENERALLY NOT A PROBLEM WE HAVE OVER A MILLION GATORS THERE PART OF THE HABITAT

[@JB1956kc]

and the Bears, Panthers & Gators have all been here BEFORE humans.. ..

[@JB1956kc]

You need to house hunt elsewhere.... Too much construction already going on East of 75 which is bear, panther and gator country. If you can't share the land with them who .....by the way.... were here first, then shop for a house elsewhere

[@jimmyr660]

This is my video and I have lived in Naples for almost 40 years (about 38ish)..You won't see them often. I've personally encountered 2 out here...they tend to be out more in Golden Gate Estates (in the woods) but they are generally docile and not aggressive towards people. You most likely will never see one but if you do just watch them - they are amazing!

[@candicemorgan979]

Black bears are big babies.., a 5lb dog can bark at them and they’ll run... their diet is largely vegan 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’d be more scared of gators, snakes, spiders, etc in Florida.... bears are beautiful... I’ve hiked during high bear season with black and brown bears present and even had one smell me through our tent in the middle of the night 🤷🏼‍♀️ If you’re not an idiot and respect the bears, they don’t give a f about u