08/03/2025
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~ I AM A FLORIDA BLACK BEAR ~ 🐻🖤
I am a Florida black bear, embodying resilience in the face of relentless challenges, a symbol of the delicate balance within the intricate web of life. In the whispering depths of the Florida forests, I roam as a guardian of the wild, a creature both majestic and misunderstood.
As a Florida black bear, my diet primarily consists of vegetation such as berries, nuts, grasses, and insects. My foraging rituals sculpt the landscape, dispersing more seeds than birds and nurturing plant growth, thus shaping the very essence of our shared ecosystems.
Yet, beyond the realms of ecological significance, there exists a spiritual bond woven into the tapestry of my existence. For generations, indigenous communities have revered us, recognizing our spiritual essence and the interconnectedness we share with all living beings. As the guardians of this land, we stand as sentinels of the wild, our presence a reminder of the sanctity of nature's embrace. We tread softly upon the earth, bearing the weight of responsibility for those who share our realm.
In the twilight hours, beneath the canopy's embrace, I stand as a witness to the eons that have passed and the challenges that lie ahead. For I am more than a mere creature of fur and flesh; I am the embodiment of the wild spirit that courses through the veins of each of us.
My actions are often shrouded in mystery, but behind every gesture lies a purpose woven into the fabric of survival.
When I stand on my hind legs, it is not to intimidate but to gather information. From this vantage point, I survey the landscape, seeking signs of danger or opportunity, my senses attuned to the energies surrounding me.
A bluff charge, though it may seem aggressive to the untrained eye, is but a warning, a declaration of boundaries in a world where space is precious. It is a language spoken in gestures, a dance of dominance that seeks to diffuse conflict before it escalates into violence.
When danger is present, I seek refuge amidst the trees, climbing skyward in a bid for safety. It is a primal instinct ingrained within the very fibers of my being, the instinct to flee from that which threatens my existence. Please don't stand at the base of the tree or fear that I will hurt you or your loved ones. I am the one in fear and I will retreat back into the woods once those who pose a threat to me leave.
Amidst the towering trees and rustling leaves, a danger lurks, one born not of the wild but of human creation. It is the allure of unsecured trash, a siren song that beckons with promises of easy sustenance. In a world where calories are currency, the temptation proves too great to resist. Yet, as I sift through the discarded remnants of human excess, I am but a pawn in a larger game, a game of survival played against the backdrop of urban sprawl. It is a cycle of conflict born from necessity, a clash of worlds that threatens to unravel the delicate balance of life.
And so, the onus falls upon humanity to bridge the divide to mitigate the conflicts that arise between us bears and humans. Bear-resistant trash cans stand as a beacon of hope, a testament to our capacity for coexistence. In their sturdy frames lies the promise of a future where conflicts fade into memory, replaced by harmony and understanding.
I know we can find a common ground, a shared space where my kind and humankind can thrive side by side. In our dance of diplomacy lies the key to a future where the wild spirit of the Florida black bear lives on, a testament to the enduring power of compassion and cooperation.
Please help save Florida black bears by visiting our website BEARDEFENDERS.ORG to learn what you can do to help stop the proposed Florida black bear trophy hunt.
-Written by Nicole Cordano of Bear Defenders
