Viral 3-legged bear 'Tripod' isn't alone: FWC says 2 similar bears roaming Central Florida

HEATHROW, Fla. - A well-known three-legged bear in Seminole County –  dubbed "Tripod" – has been spotted again, this time breaking through a homeowner's porch and attempting to get into an outdoor fridge.

"Tripod" is the same bear that was caught on camera recently taking White Claws and other beverages out of another family's fridge. He's a bear that has been recorded on video by Seminole County residents for years – and has become a local favorite.

Turns out, he's not the only three-legged bear that the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is aware of in Seminole County. They are at least three other bears – each uniquely missing limbs – that the agency is aware of, FWC confirmed to FOX 35 in an email.

As for Tripod, FWC confirmed that it has been monitoring him for at least five or six years. They estimate that he's between 6 and 10 years old and likely weighs between 275 or 300 pounds.

It's not known how "Tripod" lost his limb or was injured. But, the FWC said its bear biologists have never had to intervene or provide medical support for him.

When FWC's teams became aware of him, his injury was already healed, and he was exhibiting "normal bear behavior and activity."

The FWC is not actively tracking him, but said bears typically roam some 60 miles as part of their "home ranges."

What's Tripod's future?

The FWC said "Tripod" has seemingly adapted to his unique circumstances, exhibiting normal bear behavior, including scavenging food.

However, "Tripod" has also been spotted in videos scouring through peoples' trash, breaking into peoples' patios, and – at least once – exploring some adult beverages, all things likely not part of a bear's typical diet.

Generally, the FWC said bears will stay where food is accessible, such as trash, outdoor pet food, or bird seed. That's why they recommend people secure their trash if kept outdoors and bring sources of food inside, as to avoid potential conflicts with bears.

If a bear is unable to find reliable food, they's usually move on, the agency said.

"Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people, which can result in a public safety threat, and/or the need for removal of the bear," the FWC said.

Katrina Shadix, who runs Bear Warriors United, a nonprofit dedicated to bears and one that seeks to eventually create a bear sanctuary in Florida, is concerned about "Tripod's" future.

She believes "Tripod's" health is in danger as he roams neighborhoods and eats trash. She also believes that he may not survive if he were to be relocated to another forest, something that happens when bears become too comfortable around humans.

At worst, a real part of bear management, especially when a bear hurts someone, causes property damage, or cannot be captured or relocated, is authorization for them to be euthanized.

To be clear, no action has been ordered against "Tripod," but, according to Shadix, it's a real possibility.

"What needs to happen with those bears eating out of our trash cans is for the residents to become bear wise and secure their trash," said Shadix.

"When bears eat our garbage, they can die from the toxins in there, the rotten food, and we’ve shown they’re now dying from ingesting plastic bags."

She believes "Tripod" and the other bears were injured by snare traps or perhaps collisions with vehicles. That hasn't been confirmed by FWC, and the FWC said it isn't sure how "Tripod" was injured as his wounds had already healed by the time they became aware of him.

Shadix believes humans have a moral obligation to help the bears as development and expansion continues across their habitats.

"So if we're going to cause those injuries and hurt the bears, we have a moral obligation to help them," she said.

A bear sanctuary dream

Shadix and Laurie Hood, two animal activists, want to create a bear sanctuary in Central Florida, possibly the first in Florida.

Hood owns Alaqua Animal Refuge, which has been around for more than a decade. Shadix supports that mission and frequently works with the FWC to help a variety of animals and species in the area.

"FWC gives us about 180 days to evaluate them," said Hood. "If they can't be released back into the wild, maybe a habituated cub or in this case, a three-legged bear, and they would be okay to be an ambassador for their species, we would request that."

Shadix said not every bear may be a fit for a sanctuary, but those who are in desperate need of help, those who cannot feed or protect themselves, would have a place to be fed, away from neighborhood, and be treated for various medical ailments. 

While Shadix recommended people plant blueberry bushes in forests to draw bears away from neighborhoods, the FWC does not recommend that. They said Florida's forests provide enough naturally-occuring food sources.

Both agree the best way to keep bears out of neighborhoods is to remove the food sources that attract them.

Does Florida have a bear problem? Sheriff wants more action, while state legislature wants to bring back the bear hunt

Based on the 2015 bear "census," there are believed to be at least 4,000 bears throughout the state, though officials believe that number is much higher today.

The next bear count is not scheduled until 2025 as it happens every 10 years.

In recent weeks, there have been discussions, including call-outs by officials, regarding the number of bears in Florida, incidents with people, and how to manage the population. 

Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Tony Smith recently took to Facebook to discuss bear issues in county. He said his county is responsible for nearly a quarter of FWC's bear-related reports, and believes more needs to be done to control the population impacting his residents.

One idea: a bear hunt.

It hasn't happened since 2015, when a limited amount of permits was issued allowing the hunting of black bears in Florida.

State representative Jason Shoaf, R-District 7, has proposed a bill over the last few years that would allow people to defend their property should a bear come on it – a bear-related "Stand Your Ground" law, he said.

"My bill would allow people to defend themselves and their property, on their private property," said Rep. Shoaf. "It does not allow them to go out into the woods and hunt bears. This is all about personal defense and private property defense."

It's illegal to kill black bears in Florida under state law. Exceptions are when protecting human life against a bear or when a specific permit is issued.

That bill is still a proposal and hasn't successfully made it through the state Legislature.

Editor's note: FOX 35 has made updates throughout the story to better clarify statements between FWC, Bear Warriors United, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and Rep. Shoaf.