The Brief
- Residents of a Sanford neighborhood say black bear encounters are becoming routine, sparking safety concerns.
- Some are pushing for more aggressive management, while others want protection and relocation.
- The debate comes ahead of Florida’s planned December bear hunt.
SANFORD, Fla. – Black bears are increasingly common in Central Florida neighborhoods, and residents in Sanford’s Butchertown community say the animals are becoming a regular—and sometimes unwelcome—sight.
What we know:
Black bears have become a regular presence in Sanford’s Butchertown neighborhood, where residents say development has pushed the animals out of their habitat and into the community. …