scientific methodRecent newspaper articles and editorials feature statements indicating the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is trying to reduce the number of black bears in Florida by removing them from the threatened species list. Nothing could be further from the truth. Florida's threatened species list is an inventory of species that are at high risk of extinction, as determined through a scientific method that has been tested worldwide on tens of thousands of species. The recommendation to move the Florida black bear and 15 other species from the threatened species list is based in science, not intuition or emotion.
The draft bear status report was reviewed by an external group of nationally recognized bear conservation experts. The status review of 61 of Florida's threatened species involved more than 200 experts -- 174 of them outside of the FWC -- and represents the most comprehensive assessment ever of Florida's threatened wildlife. This assessment provides the FWC and the public with information to help conserve and prevent extinction of Florida's wildlife. The FWC will present these findings and recommendations for the 61 species to the commission this week.
Applying the globally accepted scientific method of determining threatened status, it was determined the bear no longer was at high risk of extinction in Florida because the species is widely distributed throughout the state, and the population numbers are sustainable for an animal with a large territory. In addition, the bear population has been increasing over the past 24 years, and this trend is projected to continue. However, before the bear or any species can be removed from Florida's threatened species list, a management plan to conserve the species -- created with public and stakeholder input -- must be approved by the commission.
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