EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
Florida black bears are growing in population and base wildlife managers need help to keep them, as well as the mission, safe
Bears are entering the airfield environment in their constant search for an easy meal. The easiest, most rewarding, high calorie meal around, human garbage.
Although unpleasant to humans, the smell of garbage in a dumpster is very attractive to black bears. As bears investigate the smells, the unsecured dumpsters are a reward for the animal because of the high calorie food items. Bears begin to positively associate dumpsters with food rewards and alter their behavior to try to exploit the resource.
The new dumpster design keeps bears out when the doors are properly secured by personnel.
No matter how much securing hardware is added, dumpsters deteriorate with time, which complicates the effort to keep bears away from garbage.
The damage to the dumpster’s doors no longer precludes bear access. Personnel are recommended to use the sliding doors on the back of the dumpster to minimize this risk.
While bears are no stranger to Eglin’s family housing areas, wandering onto the flightline raises aircraft safety issues, which leads to dire consequences for the base bear population.
As a result of this threat, Jackson Guard and USDA biologists continue their effort to secure dumpsters across the base.
Jackson Guard has brochures available in their lobby to help make residents aware of the black bear population on Eglin AFB, which is estimated to be approximately 120 bears. The brochure is available for download at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Some of the general tips on handling a bear encounter are:
Do not feed the bear.
Never approach the bear.
Make sure the bear has an escape route.
Do not run from the bear or make direct eye contact with it. Back up slowly and remain standing upright.
Act passively. Do not appear threatening.
If a bear is a nuisance on Eglin AFB property, including family housing, contact security forces at 882-2502. Members who live in the surrounding communities, may contact the FWCC’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.