If you've watched any health-related news lately, you know that obesity is a serious problem in the United States. In fact, it's one of the most common chronic diseases we've ever seen, with nearly two in three American adults suffering from plus-sized waistlines. That comes out to almost 78 million people affected by obesity in one way or another. It's a sobering, scary statistic that doesn't seem to be getting better.
Obesity in America causes a wide range of issues, like:
It's easy to point at a large person and call them things like "undisciplined," but if you're struggling with weight issues, you know it's not that easy. It's not like you want to look like you do or go through the daily stresses that being overweight can bring. Maybe, if you're many others, you've tried just about every diet there is to try, only to fall back into your bad habits. Millions of people make weight loss progress every year but end up failing and gaining more weight than before. Or perhaps there are other factors at play that prevent you from losing the weight you want.
Either way, you know you've got a problem that needs to be addressed, but how can you fix it for good? Should you try another diet that promises super-quick results? The resounding answer to that question is "no!" Long-lasting weight loss doesn't happen overnight. It happens with time, planning, persistence, and professional help provided by doctors and coaches who care. If you're over strange diet fads and other unsafe weight loss methods that don't work, Nutrifit40 is the solution you need.
Nutrifit40 is Florida's premier alternative weight loss and wellness clinic. Comprised of motivated health coaches and compassionate doctors, our team is dedicated to helping you lose weight and improve your health with a comprehensive 40-day program.
At Nutrifit40, our experts will help you lose weight naturally and provide the support structure you need to take back control of your life and body for good. Unlike unreliable diets, our medical weight loss program in Lutz, FL doesn't leave you hungry and constantly craving food. Instead, our patients feel nourished, have plenty of newfound energy, get incredible sleep, and are happier as a result. All it takes is getting fresh, yummy food from your local grocery store and sticking to our time-tested medical weight loss plan.
Our medical weight loss programs include:
Whether you're suffering from diabetes, hypertension, or you just don't look and feel like the person you used to be, our team will work closely with you to help meet your weight loss goals. That way, you can get in shape, stay in shape, and fall in love with the benefits of healthy living. After just 40 days, you will learn life-changing, transformational skills to help you break old habits and shed weight the healthy way. Sound too good to be true? Check out some of the reviews on our website - Nutrifit40 is as real as it gets, and we're ready to help YOU.
Here at Nutrifit40, we get dozens of questions every day about the best ways to lose weight. One of the most common questions is, "Is it really necessary to go to a medical weight loss clinic in Lutz, FL? Can't I just go to the gym?"
Going to your local gym for a good workout is a fantastic idea, but unfortunately, it isn't enough for many people. Despite taking the steps we think are necessary to lose weight, sometimes we never hit those lower cholesterol numbers. As a result, many of us are left confused and discouraged, creating a never-ending cycle with mediocre results.
That's where medical weight loss clinics like Nutrifit40 come in.
Medical weight loss facilities are clinics where average folks can get medical assistance to lose weight. Most clinics, like Nutrifit40, give patients access to knowledgeable physicians and helpful coaches who are educated and trained to help them lose weight.
Typically, patients also benefit from diet counseling and informational sessions about how their diet affects their bodies and increases the risk of diseases like hypertension. To help fortify their journey back to healthy living, most clinics include personalized weight loss plans. Unlike other diets, these plans are tailored to each patient's needs and help you incorporate incremental lifestyle changes into your day-to-day life.
At Nutrifit40, we know how hard it can be to take the first step toward signing up for a medical weight loss program. Luckily, our team of doctors and coaches will be there for you every step of the way as you take steps to reclaim your health. Preparing for your body transformation takes place over three easy and fun-to-follow steps:
Step 1
Get set up with your first no-stress body-positive weight loss clinic appointment at Nutrifit40 by calling our office or requesting an appointment online using our contact form.
Step 2
Meet with one of our highly-trained health coaches or weight loss doctors to discuss your goals. During this appointment, you'll also complete your personal weight loss and wellness profile at our weight loss clinic in Florida.
Step 3
You can start your program right away, and you'll get everything you need to begin your weight loss journey at our Nutrifit40 clinic, including the confidence and motivation you need to hit the road running.
In short, yes, they are. That's because programs like Nutrifit40 don't focus on overnight results or dangerous medicines. Instead, we focus on becoming your partner in the weight loss process. We take the time to sit down with you and explain that your weight isn't a punishment for being "lazy" or "unmotivated." Instead, we teach you about your body and what you should expect during the medical weight loss process. A trustworthy, legitimate weight loss location will also teach you about concepts like:
The goal of a weight loss clinic shouldn't be to chastise and embarrass you. It should support, educate, and encourage healthy changes in your life in a nurturing and positive atmosphere. It should also use science and medicine to design potent plans that actually help you lose weight and get healthy.
If you're looking for a medical weight loss clinic that has your best interests and health at heart, it's time to contact Nutrifit40. Some of the most common conditions that our doctors and coaches can help you with include:
Hypertension (or high blood pressure) and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) are two of the most prevalent and deadly chronic diseases in America. CDC statistics cite over 115 million Americans as having high blood pressure, while nearly 94 million young people under 20 suffer from high LDL cholesterol.
Both high blood pressure and cholesterol can wreak havoc on your body and increase your chances of strokes, heart attacks, and much more. Thankfully, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol means lowering the odds of these deadly conditions, and one of the best ways to do that is through long-lasting weight loss.
According to WebMD, losing 20 pounds can drop your systolic blood pressure by 5-20mmHg. That's a big improvement, and a significant impact on your LDL cholesterol numbers. Nutrifit40, designed by Dr. Maria Shelton, was designed especially for situations like these, where patients need custom medical weight loss programs to get healthy.
Personalization is the key to the program's success; Dr. Shelton maps out a plan for you based on your specific health needs. Dr. Shelton will show you how to shed pounds while restoring your cardiovascular health through doable diet and lifestyle changes, innovative technology, and targeted physical activity.
727-977-8201
Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy are concerning conditions that affect millions around the U.S. CDC statistics show that 34 million Americans have diabetes. Perhaps more frightening is that 88 million people are considered prediabetes. That means more than 37% of the U.S. population is already diagnosed or at risk of the disease.
Of those 34 million diabetes patients, almost half will suffer diabetic neuropathy. This condition causes nerves to be exposed to excessive blood glucose for long periods of time, causing extensive damage and symptoms like burning, numbness, tingling, and pain. Because the leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is obesity, it makes sense that losing weight may be able to help.
If you are overweight and dealing with diabetes or diabetic neuropathy, the Nutrifit40 program might be perfect for you. In 40 short days, you can shed up to 40 pounds.
Our medical weight loss team has helped thousands of good, hardworking people like you lose weight. With time, diet, exercise, and guidance from our weight loss experts, success is easier to achieve than you may believe. With ongoing adherence to a healthy life and exercise regimen, Type 2 diabetes patients can get their blood sugar levels in check.
Book AppointmentDid you know that over 45 million people in America try going on a diet every year? With as many obese people in the nation, that makes sense. Unfortunately, about half of those people fail to meet their weight loss goals. Often, it's because the diets they choose aren't focused on making them healthy - they're only about quick, unhealthy weight loss.
In reality, most diets don't work in the long run. The best way to lose weight and keep it off for good is with practical, healthy lifestyle changes. That's where physicians and other weight loss professionals can help. Unlike fly-by-night diets, medical weight loss has been proven to be effective.
But how do you know if you're a candidate? Let's take a look at five common signs you need medical weight loss treatment.
While it's true that about 42% of the U.S. population is considered overweight, not everyone needs a weight loss program to follow. However, if you're more than 100 pounds over the recommended weight for your height and age, medical weight loss might be the best option for weight loss.
Book AppointmentAre you at your wit's end because you've tried every diet under the sun, only to make minimal to no progress? Millions of other Americans are going through the same problems you're experiencing. At Nutrifi40, we work with many different patients, many of whom come to use exasperated because nothing they try works. You may be tempted to give up, but we encourage you to consider a medical weight loss clinic for help.
One of the most challenging aspects of being obese is that everyday life gets much more complicated. Yes, trying to fit into regular clothes is probably off the table, but so are ordinary things that require minimal effort. Simple tasks like carrying groceries from your car into your house are extremely difficult. Other activities, like walking upstairs in a friend's home, are out of the question.
Book AppointmentSomething has to change if you've been living with extra weight for a long time and you're sick and tired of living an unhealthy, unfulfilling life. Are you ready to heal your body and make fundamental changes? If you are, we've got great news - Nutrifit40 is prepared to be the partner you need to achieve your weight loss goals. The first step towards achieving a healthy weight and, by proxy, healthy life is to actually take that first step. If being fed up with how you look and feel is enough motivation to get started, pat yourself on the back. You're already making progress!
Medical weight loss is about much more than aesthetics or vanity. It's about preventing or reversing weight-related health issues that put your life at risk. Once you cross a certain threshold, it's hard to get off meds like cholesterol pills, but with medical weight loss, it's possible. If you have any of the following obesity-related health problems, you should consider Nutrifit40:
727-977-8201
If you have been battling your weight for years only to find yourself in the same cyclical rut keeping you unhappy, unhealthy, and unfulfilled, it's time for a shift in your life. Why live with ill-fitting clothes, an inability to be active, and dangerous health conditions like high blood pressure? By joining the Nutrifit40 weight loss program, you're taking the first step to a new, healthier life.
Nutrifit40 is safe, effective, and available to patients with a variety of pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol, and even diabetic neuropathy. Contact our office today to schedule your first one-on-one weight loss consultation with our highly trained doctors. Before you know it, you'll be well on our way to restoring your health and confidence for good.
727-977-8201
LUTZ, Fla. - A family narrowly escaped some dangerous moments as severe storms pounded Hillsborough and Pasco counties Thursday afternoon.As storms pushed through a mobile home park in Lutz, a large tree was struck by lightning and fell on a...
LUTZ, Fla. - A family narrowly escaped some dangerous moments as severe storms pounded Hillsborough and Pasco counties Thursday afternoon.
As storms pushed through a mobile home park in Lutz, a large tree was struck by lightning and fell on a home.
A father and his son were nearly caught in its path.
"It just sounded like you're inside, like a Pepsi can," Chris Maltry said. "It was just being crunched, and you just hear sounds from every direction and the sound of glass being broke. It just roared through the whole house."
Maltry says he was folding laundry while his son was in the living room. He says his son was startled by the thunder and wind, and came into the room where Maltry was.
Maltry says in a matter of seconds, a huge tree in their yard crashed through their roof.
"I was just on the ground within two seconds," Maltry explained. "I'm like, the glass is all on his head. There's rain falling on my son's head. I'm getting caked. I just need to move. I didn't know. I didn't even realize the tree was that directly above us."
READ: Flooding closes I-275 exit in St. Pete as showers moved through Bay area
Maltry says he pulled his son to the ground, out of the tree’s path, and shielded him with his own body.
The rest of their family arrived home a few minutes later. They were in shock as they looked at the damage.
"The tree would have fell on my son if I was not standing," Maltry said. "If I were to take you inside the house and see right where I was standing, if I wasn't on my knees, on the floor, I was going to get hit with the tree on the top of my shoulders."
He says their family doesn’t have insurance for their home, so the damage is going to be extremely costly to salvage what they can and try to repair their home.
Maltry says they don’t know if and when they’ll be able to be back in their home.
READ: Tropical Depression 2 forms in Gulf of Mexico on first day of hurricane season
"So I'm going to stay positive," he said. "But when I look at them and see them cry, it's so hard to stay that strong person when I don't want them to be the one to think it's just not going to. I know it's going to work out, but it's not going to work out tomorrow. It's going to take time."
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue taped off the damage.
READ: Experts increase number of storms expected in 2023 Atlantic hurricane season
Maltry says seconds of damage have left them with a clean-up that’s going to last much longer.
"I pray that this doesn't happen to anybody else," he shared. "And I hope that if it does happen anywhere else, get out. Don't stay and try to clean up. Get out, because it could be a lot worse within minutes."
The family is very thankful that everyone is alive and safe.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing of Hawaiian coffees and memorable cafés, will open its newest location in Lutz in early September. Located at 25195 FL State Road 54, the new location will offer premium coffees with a kick, branded merchandise, and a mouthwatering food menu inspired by the Hawaiian Islands.Bad Ass Coffee in Lutz is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Chris and Jillian Bruc...
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing of Hawaiian coffees and memorable cafés, will open its newest location in Lutz in early September. Located at 25195 FL State Road 54, the new location will offer premium coffees with a kick, branded merchandise, and a mouthwatering food menu inspired by the Hawaiian Islands.
Bad Ass Coffee in Lutz is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Chris and Jillian Bruckner. Local to the Tampa area since 2010, the Bruckners have been a part of Tampa’s booming economic growth, opening four gas stations and three Taco Bus franchises to serve the community. As coffee-lovers themselves, the Bruckners discovered Bad Ass Coffee on a whim, after a caffeine-craving on the beach at Fort Myers led them to the store in Naples. After a quick sip and soaking in the Aloha vibes, the husband-wife duo fell in love with Bad Ass Coffee’s unique branding and distinctive flavors. As experienced franchisees, they recognized the opportunity to bring quick service coffee to their community and haven’t looked back.
The Bruckners signed a development agreement that will bring five locations, tradition and non-traditional, to the Tampa area. The Lutz opening signifies Bad Ass Coffee’s debut in the Tampa area and positions the coffee store in a multi-concept convenience store setting alongside other quick-service restaurants. As owners of this pre-existing real estate space, the Bruckners recognized the need for convenient craft coffee along State Road 54.
“My husband and I are small business people—we want to help employ individuals in our community and use our spaces to highlight the creations of other businesses in the area,” said Jillian. “Everyone knows that coffee brings people together, so it’s our hope that Bad Ass Coffee will be a magnet for our community. Bad Ass Coffee in Lutz is not just for our local coffee enthusiasts, but it’s also for tourists filling up with gas and people looking to connect with their neighbors. There’s something here for everyone, both on our menu and in the space we’ve curated that features multiple concepts.”
In addition to premium Hawaiian coffees, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii serves up a full menu of popular blended drinks, signature lattes, cold brews, teas, Hawaiian inspired food served on Kings Hawaiian® sweet bread, and branded merchandise. Guests can enjoy a relaxing experience with nods to Hawaiian culture, décor, and lore along with the aroma of delicious premium coffee in a space where they can enjoy themselves and fuel their inner badass. Those looking to take the taste of Hawaii home or to the office can purchase packages of Hawaiian blends and single-origin coffee beans including 100% Kona, single serve pods, and flavored coffee, along with other products.
“From our first introduction, the Bruckners impressed us with their knowledge of the market and their enthusiasm for bringing our brand to the greater Tampa market through traditional and non-traditional stores,” said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. “We’re excited to partner with them in exploring a new store design format for the brand in a location that will interact with so many members of the Lutz community,” Snyder said.
Guests are invited to try their first drink for free when downloading the Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii app and joining ‘Ohana Rewards. A two-day grand opening celebration will be held in the weeks after opening, where guests can enjoy giveaways, games, and donations from sales during the Grand Opening weekend will be distributed to local community-based charities.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big Island of Hawai?i in 1989 with the dream of sharing American-grown, premium Hawaiian coffee with customers everywhere. In addition to premium coffee from the famous Kona region of the Big Island, Bad Ass Coffee also sources from Kauai and Maui. Its name pays tribute to a very important animal in Hawaiian coffee history: The Donkey. Legend has it that for generations, donkeys could be heard bellowing as they carried precious loads of coffee beans down the steep mountains of the Big Island. The people of Kona named these hard-working donkeys the “Bad Ass Ones” because of their reliably strong, but stubborn nature in carrying their precious cargo.
The legend of those hard-working donkeys lives on today at Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a company that is “stubborn” about sourcing, roasting, and serving quality Hawaiian coffee with the aloha spirit.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Lutz is open Monday - Sunday 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. For more information on Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in Lutz, please visit https://locations.badasscoffee.com/list/fl/lutz/ or call (813) 949-2428.
For more information, visit badasscoffee.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram @badasscoffeeofhawaii. Franchise information is available at badasscoffeefranchise.com.
The developer said the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for more technology and health care development along the I-74 corridor.D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 5:10 pm ETPASCO COUNTY, FL — Ground was broken Thursday on a major mixed-use development that Pasco County commissioners said will have a "profound impact" on the county's future.Commissioners attended...
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 5:10 pm ET
PASCO COUNTY, FL — Ground was broken Thursday on a major mixed-use development that Pasco County commissioners said will have a "profound impact" on the county's future.
Commissioners attended a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by developer Columnar Land to celebrate the start of construction on the mixed-use development, DoubleBranch, formerly known as Pasco Town Center. Columnar has invested more than $60 million to date and is constructing another $75 million for infrastructure for the first phase.
“DoubleBranch has been anticipated in Pasco County for nearly two decades.,” said Daniel Traylor, managing principal for Columnar's DoubleBranch. “Today marks the beginning of the first phase of development for a project that will have a tremendous impact on generations of Pasco County residents.”
Related: Pasco Town Center To Have 'Profound' Impact On County's Future
The major development will feature 4 million square feet of industrial development, 725,000 square feet of offices, 400,000 square feet of retail, 3,500 housing units and 300 hotel beds on a 965-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 52 east McKendree Road, which will be renamed Boyette Road.
Upon completion, DoubleBranch is expected to generate more than $600 million in long-term economic impact on an estimated $2 billion buildout for the surrounding area. As companies locate to DoubleBranch, the development is anticipated to generate 6,000 jobs including employment in the logistics, life sciences and health care industries.
“Our team is proud and excited to get this project started,” said Mike Wolf, senior vice president of Columnar's DoubleBranch. “Since purchasing the land in 2021, we set out to intentionally create a desirable town center development where Pasco gathers to work, live and entertain while creating jobs and economic development for the county.
“Pasco County leadership is very cognizant of creating opportunities for smart, strategic development,” said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “This is one of the largest master-planned development projects we have had here, and it has taken tremendous effort by Columnar, county officials and stakeholders alike to make sure it is done right. I was honored to be a part of the celebration yesterday.”
“The DoubleBranch project is an excellent example of the benefits of a public-private partnership,” said Pasco County Economic Growth Director David Engel. “The developer is installing over $70 million in on- and off-site primary roads and utility connections to complete core infrastructure for the entire Connected City Employment Center area. Pasco is providing an Ad Valorem Equivalency Grant to fund a portion of the infrastructure cost. And when this project is complete, over $9.5 million in ad valorem taxes will come into the county each year.”
The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved the development in July 2022.
“I'm more excited about this project than you can ever imagine," said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who represents the district that will include the development.
“Once completed, the county will see an estimated $100 return for every dollar invested," said Oakley. "This project is a win-win for east Pasco, bringing new infrastructure and jobs with minimal cost to the county.”
"When you think about the jobs that are going to be created here, the quality of life for Pasco County, and the quality of life for the whole region, that's what Pasco County is turning into," said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, noting that he moved to Pasco County at the age of 10. "When you think about the economic engine of 30 years ago, all the cars went south to Hillsborough County. Now think about 20 years from now, they'll be coming from Hillsborough to Pasco to work."
Wolf said the section along the I-75 corridors will focus on the health and wellness industry with a retail component. He said the developer is also working with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture to design the project with sustainable features, parks, green space and multimodal trails that can accommodate bicyclists, runners and golf carts.
"We think that's truly critical to the project's success," Wolf said. "We're really excited to bring this quality of development to the area. It's going to be a phenomenal project."
CARROLLWOOD, Fla. - Home security cameras recorded a black bear walking through a neighborhood in the Carrollwood area of Tampa early Monday morning.The video, which resident Cynthia Bencomo shared with FOX 13, shows the bear lumbering across her driveway and into the neighbor's yard at around 1:15 a.m."Insane,&qu...
CARROLLWOOD, Fla. - Home security cameras recorded a black bear walking through a neighborhood in the Carrollwood area of Tampa early Monday morning.
The video, which resident Cynthia Bencomo shared with FOX 13, shows the bear lumbering across her driveway and into the neighbor's yard at around 1:15 a.m.
"Insane," said Cynthia, who told FOX 13 her husband was awake at the time and was shocked to see the animal show up on his front door camera. "Where in the heck did a bear come from? We're looking at the map. Where's the forest in this area, like some sort of wilderness? There's not anything remotely close in this area, so he must travel far."
Kirby Lavallee told FOX 13 surveillance video at his Lutz home captured a black bear just two nights before.
A bear that was spotted in Carrollwood on Monday morning is likely moving south. Video shared by Kirby Lavallee showed what appears to be the same bear exploring his Lutz porch on Saturday - just two days prior.
WATCH: Curious black bear breaks into truck in Colorado, steals bag
Experts with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission believe the bear most likely traveled from the Ocala or Green Swamp areas, where there are larger black bear populations.
Michael Orlando, FWC's bear program coordinator, said the bear is likely one and a half to two years old, which is the age when bears leave their mothers in search of a new home range.
"Right now, we have lots of young juvenile dispersing animals," Orlando said, adding FWC is not planning on trying to trap the bear for now. "We generally don't mess around with bears. We try to let them make their way and realize this isn't a place that they want to be."
FWC said at around the same time Bencomo's cameras recorded the bear, there was a report that a driver hit a bear, but the animal is believed to be okay. It was gone by the time FWC officers arrived.
MORE: Florida deputies help hawk 'snake' his way out of deadly situation
According to Orlando, bear sightings have been on the rise recently, but they're rare in the Tampa area.
"Of course [I'm concerned]. I have a baby," said Bencomo. "We have to be very careful when we come out at night. And of course, bears can climb the trees that we have trees in our backyard. It's scary to think about just kind of wandering around everywhere."
Wildlife experts are urging residents to call FWC if they see the bear, while also cautioning neighbors to be careful and don't try to approach or feed it.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Black bears have been spotted in Tampa area neighborhoods recently, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding residents to give the bears space and never feed them.FWC said it received two reports of black bears in the Tampa area over the weekend; one was a bear near a bird feeder and the other was a crash involving a bear.FWC said the bear involved in the crash was seen roughly 20 minutes later and appeared to be moving normally.A person in Carrollwood caugh...
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Black bears have been spotted in Tampa area neighborhoods recently, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding residents to give the bears space and never feed them.
FWC said it received two reports of black bears in the Tampa area over the weekend; one was a bear near a bird feeder and the other was a crash involving a bear.
FWC said the bear involved in the crash was seen roughly 20 minutes later and appeared to be moving normally.
A person in Carrollwood caught a black bear on Ring video early in the morning on Monday. The woman who captured the video said she reported the sighting to FWC around 2 a.m.
Another video from a home in Lutz shows a black bear roaming around a porch and garage on Saturday night. It's unclear if it's the same bear as either of the other reports.
FWC said there are no plans to trap the bear impacted by the crash as it appears it wasn't significantly injured. FWC will continue to monitor sightings of the bear to see if its condition changes.
How common are black bears in Tampa?
According to FWC, it's not uncommon to see black bears in the Tampa Bay area. Much of our area is what FWC considers the South Central BMU.
FWC estimates there to be 100 black bears in the South Central BMU. Statewide, the estimate is 4,050 black bears.
According to FWC, in 2022, there were 272 calls related to bears in the South Central BMU.
The most common reasons for the calls were general interaction and bears in the garbage, according to FWC. Other reasons for the calls included property damage, bear-animal encounters and sick/dead bears.
During this time of year, FWC said black bears are more active, which includes juvenile bears leaving their mother's home range.
Living 'bearwise' in Florida
FWC encourages Floridians to live "bearwise" to minimize negative interactions with black bears and, ultimately, protect people and bears.
Becoming "bearwise" includes limiting bears' natural food sources at your property, securing pets and livestock, protecting your home and keeping your trash secured.
According to FWC, if a bear isn't able to access human-provided foods, it will generally move on from an area. Bears that are easily rewarded with food in a neighborhood lose their natural fear of people and according to FWC, the more time a bear spends in a neighborhood, its survival chances drop.
FWC also recommends storing garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before. If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
To avoid encounters between a bear or other wildlife and pets, FWC recommends you bang on your door and flip your house lights on and off before letting your pets outside. This will give the bear (and any other wildlife) time to leave the area before your pets come outside. If you do not have a fenced yard, keep your dog on a short leash when taking them outside.
Reporting a bear conflict, or a sick or injured bear
If you need to report a conflict with a bear, or if you come across a bear that's sick, injured, orphaned or dead, you can contact FWC.
First, FWC says don't approach the animal, even if it appears dead or unconscious, as it could still cause serious injury.
During business hours, call the regional FWC office nearest you. After business hours, call FWC's Wildlife Alert toll-free number 1-888-404-3922.
Be prepared to answer the following questions:
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