Florida Fish and Wildlife officers gave an update Tuesday afternoon on a bear attack on a Seminole County woman who was out walking her dog Monday night.

Below is a running account of the highlights from a 1:20 p.m. news conference:

1:30 p.m.

Parker confirms someone in the neighborhood was feeding foxes, but she said she stopped six months ago.

Salberg said feeding bears is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.

1:25 p.m.

Parker explains each bear complaint is taken on a case-by-case basis.

Parker says the best thing to do if you are confronted by a bear is to make yourself look as "big" as you possibly can, and yell at the bear to make as much noise as you can as you move to a safer area.

1:22 p.m.

Parker said traps are being set up around the area to attempt to catch the bear.

She said there were 707 bear reports in 2012 in the Seminole County area. From Jan. 1–Sept. 18, 2013, there have been 209 bear complaints.

Parker said they are talking with neighbors to remind them of the rules on securing their trash.

FWC Officer Lenny Salberg said investigators cannot interview the victim at this time because of her condition.

1:20 p.m.

FWC Officer Karen Parker explains a woman was seriously injured by a bear around 8 p.m. in Longwood. The victim [identified earlier as Susan Chalfont, 54] remains in the hospital.

Parker said the bear knocked the woman to the ground while she was walking her two dogs. Neighbors ran to help the woman after the bear left.

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Previous update

The attack happened just after 8 p.m. on English Ivy Court in Longwood off Markham Woods road, about a mile west of Wekiva Springs State Park and near a popular fitness trail.

FWC said Susan Chalfant, 54, was able to get away and ran to a neighbor’s home who called 911. Seminole County Fire Rescue rushed Chalfant, who suffered facial wounds and heavy bleeding, to Orlando Regional Medical Center. The dog was not hurt.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officers set up traps in the area to try and catch the bear. FWC along with Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for the bear.

Bear sightings are frequent in the neighborhood which is located next to the Wekiva River conservation area. Hundreds of people bike, walk and run on the Wekiva fitness trail that runs right by where this attack happened.

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Human-bear conflicts in Florida

Florida Fish and Wildlife said a bear threatening a human is rare.

From 1980 to 2012, only 1 percent of bear encounters involved a bear threatening a human.

Most of the encounters involving seeing a bear in the area, in a yard or in a tree (38 percent), or seeing a bear rummaging in the garbage (31 percent).

According to FWC, Lake, Marion, Seminole and Volusia counties make up the majority of the calls regarding black bear sightings. The Ocala National Forest, a major bear habitat, spreads out into all over those counties.

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What to do if you encounter a bear

If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright, back up slowly and speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice.
 
Do NOT feed or intentionally attract bears. If a bear eats something on your property, take note of what it is and secure  it once the bear leaves.
 
NEVER approach or surprise a bear. If you see a bear from a distance, enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear. If you are close, do not make any sudden or abrupt movements. Back way slowly and be sure the bear has an obvious escape route.
 
If you are in your yard:

  • Make sure that you are in a safe area and that the bear has a clear escape route. Then, make noise or bang pots and pans to scare the bear away.
  • Do NOT turn your back, play dead, climb a tree or run. Back away slowly into the house or secure area.
  • Avoid direct eye contact. Bears and many other animals may view this as aggressive behavior.
  • Report any bear that is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage to the FWC.

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How to keep bears away from your home

  • Secure household garbage in a shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
  • Put household garbage out on morning of pickup rather than the night before.
  • Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
  • Protect gardens, apiaries, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
  • Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods that attract wildlife secure.
  • Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.
  • Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place.
  • Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
  • Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground. Bears love fruit!
  • Screened enclosures are not secure and will not keep out bears.