Captured bear Published Sept. 21, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A 175-pound female bear was captured and relocated by 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Sept. 11 on Tyndall Air Force Base. The number of bear related incidents at Tyndall AFB has climbed to more than 100 in the last month and the need to take drastic measures has surfaced. While no one has been attacked by the bears, they have become a significant nuisance to base housing residents. The captured bear was caged, tranquilized and moved to the Natural Resources building Friday morning. Shortly after being tagged, she was transported to the east end of the installation, since it was only the first time they have tried to capture and relocate her. "We have a permit from the state that allows us to relocate the bears. The first time we can move them around on base, the second time we have to contact the state and they have to tell us where we can take the bears," said Allen Richmond, Chief of Natural Resources, 325th CES. "The third time the state has a three strikes you're out policy." "The state of Florida has never allowed anyone to have a permit to trap bears," said Donald Jenkins, 325th CES Conservation Officer. "We are the only outside agency they have even considered." According to Mr. Richmond, the state has it set up so they can supervise Natural Resources in relocating three bears before they can do it on their own. "We have currently caught two bears and will soon be capable of handling any further problems on our own," said Mr. Jenkins However, the permit still places restrictions on how quickly Natural Resources is able to alleviate any issues. "It may be slower than some people like," said Mr. Richmond. "But, it is what we have to do." Natural Resources purchased a simple square cage last year that utilizes sliding doors to trap the bear. The device was baited with cookies and molasses covered popcorn as a lure. "Because of how easily she was trapped, we think she has not been on her own that long, "said Mr. Richmond. "Bears usually leave their mothers when they are somewhere between 18 and 24 months old." The captured bear is only one of several bears scheduled to be caught. "We are aggressively trying to catch the bears," said Mr. Richmond. "Basically, our constraint is because the state owns the wildlife and we are a state wildlife management area, we have to comply with requirements on how we handle or treat the bears." Even when Natural Resources is not actively attempting to cage the bears, there are still trained professionals attempting to deter the animals using paint guns loaded with Cayenne-filled pepper balls. A 375-pound male bear is among those targeted for capture. He is believed to have been caught before, judging by his weight and the fact that his ears appear to have been tagged before. "Bears that have been captured before will have a green tag on each ear and/or a series of numbers tattooed right outside their lower lip," said Mr. Jenkins. The numbers are kept in a database to identify how many times the bear has been captured and to where they were placed upon relocation. "The trapping and tranquilizing of the large male bear has proven to be a little more difficult," said Mr. Richmond. "He is trap-shy and avoids the cages." Natural Resources are also tracking another female bear and her four cubs that will be captured and moved as soon as possible. The female bear has been trapped once before and moved to the outskirts of the installation. Because this will be the second time Natural Resources has captured her, she will be relocated off base. Natural Resources must await a verdict from the state on where the bears will be transported before they can begin setting traps for her and her cubs. Relocation of the bears can be prevented. But, Tyndall has become an easy food source for the bears because members aren't taking the proper precautions. To help prevent the bears from coming into housing Team Tyndall members should: · Store trash and trash bins in a secure area until the morning of trash pick-up. · Keep pet food inside · Remove bird feeders · Clean outdoor grills and store in secure area · Never feed bears, it is a crime! With the help of everyone on Tyndall we can help prevent bear related incidences. For more information contact Security Forces at 283-2254 or Natural Resources at 283-2641.