A black bear who was injured by a vehicle in Florida was found in a tree and is 'expected to make a full recovery.'
Injured Black Bear Found in a Tree in Florida 'Expected to Make a Full Recovery'
A sweet black bear in Florida is going to be fine after he was found injured and hiding in a tree.
When the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, the bear, who was reportedly hit by a vehicle and hurt, was perched up in a nearby tree.
Officers took pictures of the animal and remained with it until expert reinforcements could come in to provide assistance.
Florida police assisted a black bear who was injured and hiding in a tree.
"🚨🐻 On Tuesday, Sector 4 deputies responded to a call about an injured black bear who had been hit by a vehicle," the Sheriff's Office wrote on social media last month. "Our deputies stayed on scene to ensure the bear’s safety until the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived to provide expert care. 🐾 We’re happy to report that the bear is expected to make a full recovery!"
Florida police waited with the black bear until the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived to help.
Many commenters praised the officers for taking good care of the bear while waiting for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to arrive.
"Kudos to the deputies who helped rescue the bear! They truly went above and beyond to ensure the bear's safety until the experts arrived. 💚," wrote one person.
"Thank you to the deputies who rescued that bear. Nice to know two more people who want to protect them instead of killing them!! 💖" said another.
"So glad the bear is going to make a full recovery," commented a third.
The injured black bear is 'expected to make a full recovery.'
Many others in the comments criticized the upcoming bear hunt, Florida's first approved bear hunt in over 10 years. Proponents called hunting "an important and effective tool" for managing the bear population in the state.
"I hope this bear stays safe when the hunters start killing the bears," one person commented on the Facebook post about the rescue.
"I heard most hunters want to kill the cubs first for their tender meat," claimed someone else.
"Just in time to be murdered in the bear hunt," said another.
According to Species Unite, around 200 bears stand to be killed in the upcoming hunt.
Opponents have called the decision to authorize the hunt "legalized animal cruelty." Susannah Randolph, chapter director of environmental group the Sierra Club, said, "This ill-conceived bear hunt will endanger an already threatened animal and open the door to destruction of critical wilderness habitat throughout Florida."
The Sheriff Department arrived to find the injured black bear hiding in a nearby tree.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are black bears throughout mainland Florida and some of the larger keys.
The organization's website also has lots of information for what to do if you come across a bear — it's worth taking a look if you live in the area or are planning to visit.