Why did Florida deputies kill a bear? People upset at what happened in a neighborhood
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has come under fire after deputies shot and killed a black bear over the weekend.
According to the agency’s Facebook post, concerned bystanders phoned authorities around 8 a.m. Saturday about the animal “hanging around” the residential community of Saratoga Lakes in Royal Palm Beach.
The black bear, estimated to be about six feet and 300 pounds, was “walking around” before it eventually climbed a tall tree in a backyard.
Deputies linked up with officers from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and a drone unit to take control of the scene.
The post says the sheriff’s role was to assist wildlife officers while a trapper was located to tranquilize the bear and relocate it. However, just after noon, the bear was on the move. After it began to climb down the tree, officials “made loud noises” in hopes it would scurry back up, but no such luck.
“Unfortunately, the bear had NO place to roam safely!” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, adding that deputies made the “very difficult decision” to kill the bear because it posed a threat to the safety of residents.
Many commenters were outraged that such drastic action was taken, complaining underneath the sheriff’s office post.
“Terrible!! Shame on you PBSO!! With all these resources around like [Lion Country Safari, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Palm Beach Zoo], one of them would have had a tranquilizer. Simply tell people to stay inside until resolved.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Disgusted! Our wildlife does not deserve this.”
The FWC is currently investigating; a spokesperson for the commission, Arielle Callender, told WPBF 25 News that biologists had been monitoring the bear for a week before Saturday’s incident and would have likely “let the bear leave the area on its own.”
A report will be released later this week.
READ MORE: Do you have a guest pass? Watch a large bear roam around this Florida neighborhood
This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 2:01 PM.
