Bear that attacked Seminole Co. woman among those featured in new zoo habitat

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens took a big step forward Thursday toward the completion of its planned Florida black bear habitat.

The zoo broke ground on the habitat, which will house three bears and will be used to educate the public on how to co-exist with wild black bears. %

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“I’ve experienced bears in the wild and every one has run from me,” zoo director David Tetzlaff said. “That’s what you want … in the wild, if a bear sees a human (it should) recognize us as a potential threat or the unknown. You want them to do a 180 and go the other way.”

Two of the bears were rescued by FWC as cubs two years ago.

“They were removed from their maternal den. They were brought into someone’s residence, and in a short time became far too use to people to release,” said  Tetzlaff.

The third bear going in the exhibit is one that attacked a Seminole County woman in her neighborhood in 2013, knocking her to the ground.

The bears will be able to roam free across the habitat, which will also include a “model house” for visitors to walk through with examples of ways to keep food away from bears.

“Travel through the house. They’re going to learn about how we can help keep black bears wild preventing food access,” said Director of Education Stephanie Williams.

The zoo is still seeking donations to fund the habitat.

There have been at least four attacks in Central Florida in recent years between bears and people, some attacks involving their pets.

The zoo director said it happens when bears lose their fear of humans.

“I think it will teach people that you know were kind of in their territory and to respect them a little bit more. So, I think it’s an awesome thing,” said Williams.

The bear exhibit is expected open in about six months, but there was no set date for completion of the habitat.

Cox Media Group