In past years, FWC and several universities have conducted research on black
bears in Florida. Research topics include: bee
yard depredation, denning and litter sizes, diets, diseases and parasites,
habitat selection, movements, and population characteristics. The
results of such research have been published in scientific journals,
available from university libraries. To assist
in your search, the citations for these articles are listed in
the Bibliography.
FWC and graduate students from the University of Florida and the
University of Kentucky are currently conducting several research projects
on Florida black bears. These projects are:
Statewide Assessment of Road Impacts
on Bears in Florida: This 3 year study (begun in 2001) will assess the impacts
of transportation related deaths on bear populations by estimating the
abundance and distribution of black bears in six core areas across the
state. The results will enable FWC to make informed decisions regarding
highway management issues such as design, placement, and mitigation.
Black Bear Movements and Habitat Use Relative
to Roads in Ocala National Forest: Researchers
with the FWC are investigating the movements, habitat use, and population
dynamics of black bears along a portion of State Road 40 in Ocala National
Forest. The Ocala black bear population is the largest in the state
and has sustained 43% of the statewide roadkill since 1976. State Road
40, which is being considered for widening, bisects the national forest
and contains several sites where roadkilled bears are a reoccurring
problem. FWC is seeking to define habitat use, patterns of movement
and rates and sources of adult mortality from radiocollared bears. Data
concerning the locations and patterns of highway crossings are being
gathered from a dirt track transect adjacent to the roadway, and
by documenting the locations of unsuccessful road crossings. The
distribution and abundance of fall foods is also being assessed by mast
surveys to help explain bear movements and highway crossing frequency.
Demodicosis in the Ocala Population: Researchers with
the FWC are looking at demodicosis (mange) problem in black bears on
the western edge of the Ocala National Forest. This type of mange is
caused by a mite that is not contagious to people or domestic animals.
The mites live in the hair follicles and severe infestations result
in hair loss. In domestic animals, demodicosis is often the result of
immunosuppression and we suspect that the presence of these mites may
reflect some type of underlying problem in bears from this region. This
study is also centered on SR40 and movement and mortality data are used
to complement the above study Black Bear Movements and Habitat Use
Relative to Roads in Ocala National Forest.
Population Dynamics in Chassahowitzka: A 5 year research
project examining the Chassahowitzka black bear population is in its
final year (2001). This population occupies a thin strip of land in Pasco,
Hernando, and Citrus counties between US19 and the coast. The population
numbers less than 20 bears and may be North America's smallest black
bear population. Data collected includes population size and structure,
habitat preferences, home range size, mortality factors, and genetics
and will be used to guide management decisions to preserve this isolated
group of bears.
