Black bear sightings are on the rise in Orange County, and now county leaders are considering changes to the way residents take out the trash.
- Increased black bear sightings in Apopka, east Orange County
- Commission considering trash time frames
- Also looking into bear-resistant trash can programs
On Tuesday, the Orange County Commission decided to start looking into drafting an ordinance to create time frames for when residents can put their cans on the curb for pick up.
"Having a bear wander through your community is just a fact of living in Florida. What we don't want is the bear to stay and finding garbage, eating garbage in your backyard," said Michael Orlando with Florida Fish and Wildlife.
- LIVING WITH BLACK BEARS: Latest news | Conservation History | Black Bear Advice | Where the bears are
Two weeks ago a juvenile bear was captured in a residential area of Winter Garden and relocated to the Ocala National Forest. There have been other bear sightings around Lake Apopka.
The commission will also look at creating rebate and grant programs for Bear Resistant Trash Can purchases.
This ordinance would apply for areas in the county with high bear sightings, called Bear Management Zones. Those zones would be determined by the county and Florida Fish and Wildlife, where bear sightings are common.
Bear sightings have picked up in areas around Apopka, and unincorporated East Orange County.
No final decision on the ordinance has been made. The county hopes to have an ordinance for discussion in October.
Black sightings can be found on Florida Fish and Wildlife's tracking map.