'We risk decimating the population': Concerns, questions grow as Florida considers another bear hunt

Calls for a bear hunt are making a comeback in Florida. The debate is back in the spotlight after people have had several close encounters with bears recently all across the state.   

Concerns grow as Florida considers bear hunt
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Calls for a bear hunt are making a comeback in Florida. The debate is back in the spotlight after people have had several close encounters with bears recently all across the state. ??

Florida sheriff calls for bear hunt
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Florida Sheriff AJ "Tony" Smith in Franklin County is struggling with bear issues and suggests another bear hunt.

Florida county ‘inundated’ by bears, sheriff says: 'We need to look at some different ways of doing things'

It’s been nearly eight years since the last state-sanctioned bear hunt, and Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said Florida needs to find solutions as encounters between the animals and humans are increasing.

VIDEO: Black bear spotted at Disney World's Magic Kingdom released into Florida national forest

An adult female black bear who found her way into a tree near Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on Monday has been released into the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Video: Bear captured at Magic Kingdom released
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A black bear who found her way near Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom was captured and released near the Ocala National Forest, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC shared a 10-second video showing the bear's release back into the wild. "Good bear. Good bear. Go! Go! Go" someone can be heard saying in the video.

Bear spotted climbing tree in Lake Mary
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A bear was seen on video climbing a tree in the Notting Hill area of Lake Mary Wednesday night.

VIDEO: 3-legged bear breaks into Florida home's lanai, drinks 3 White Claws | 'Oh my God, look at him!'

A Lake Mary, Florida, mother received the shock of her life when she discovered that a three-legged black bear, affectionately known as Tripod, had somehow managed to break into her home while her 13-year-old son was inside with the family dog. The woman said the bear even accessed her outdoor refrigerator and helped itself to three of her White Claws.

Dog recovers from surgery after bear attack
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A small dog at the center of Tuesday night?s bear attack is now recovering in the care of neighbors. Neighbors found Molly, the hurt spaniel, and took her to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida in Casselberry. Dr. Ben Trewartha, the veterinarian who performed surgery on the dog, said it was about 90 minutes long, and the dog left the clinic on Thursday.

Mama bear, 4 cubs roam Florida neighborhood
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Surveillance video shared with FOX 35 shows a bear family roaming around a neighborhood in Daytona Beach. Keisha and Androse Bell said they noticed their trash cans had been knocked over recently and decided to buy a camera to see what was knocking them over. Soon, they found a family of curious bears strolling through the neighborhood at night.

Florida dog found alive after vanishing amid bear attack in Longwood; owner hospitalized: FWC

A dog was found alive after vanishing following a bear attack in Longwood neighborhood earlier this week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife confirmed Thursday morning. The dog's owner was taken to a hospital following the encounter with the bear. His condition was not immediately released, but officials said the man had a large head wound.

Neighbors rush to help man and his dog facing bear in Seminole County

Neighbors in a Seminole County neighborhood said they stepped in to help a man and his dog after the two encountered a black bear earlier this week.

Black bear shot, killed in Sanford neighborhood 'charged' at man and his dog, documents say

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office has confirmed to FOX 35 that one of its employees was involved in the shooting of a mother bear last week in a Sanford neighborhood. That bear was later euthanized due to its injuries.

Residents call for change after mama bear shot, killed in Florida neighborhood; 2 cubs safely relocated

A Florida black bear known to walk around a neighborhood in Sanford with her two young cubs was shot and killed over the weekend, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Her two orphaned bear cubs went missing for several days but have since been located and are now healthy and safe.