Animal advocacy group plans bear hunt protest

On Friday, Oct. 23, Sarasota In Defense of Animals is one of several groups across the state that will protest a black bear hunt run by state wildlife officials.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will allow hunters, beginning Oct. 24 and lasting up to seven days, to kill black bears in four regions of state, none of which include Sarasota County. SDA, along with Sarasota Animal Advocates, will show solidarity with other groups protesting in 13 cities statewide Friday.

SDA alleges that the FWC sold more permits than it should have. The black bear was removed from the endangered species list in 2012, according to Carolyn Repeta, a director of SDA, and approximately 3,000 remain — about a quarter of the number that once lived in Florida.

Repeta said SDA is afraid hunters will orphan cubs, adding to the number of casualties after the fact.

According to the FWC’s website, “The purpose of reinstating a bear hunting season is to stabilize expanding bear populations in … parts of the state that are capable of supporting hunting.”

FWC spokesperson Gary Morse said the hunt is the result of a public request.

The protest will be held at the Sarasota Bayfront near the entrance to O’Leary’s, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We’re going to be a show-stopper, for sure,” Repeta said.