Stretch of road might be designated in honor of Florida black bears

Many people aren't aware that bears live in Florida. Florida black bears live mainly in and around Florida's three national forests -- Apalachicola in the panhandle, Osceola in the north just south of Georgia and Ocala north of Orlando -- and also a few scattered around other smaller forested areas. Unfortunately, busy State Road 40 cuts right through a portion of Ocala Nationl Forest, and roadkill is a huge problem for bears who live there and is a leading cause of death for our bruins.

Now this DeLand-Deltona Beacon article says SR 40 might be designated as a black bear corridor this fall (called "Florida Black Bear Scenic Highway"), if the Florida Department of Transportation agrees. Although the article says naming the 60-mile stretch of road "would involve special efforts to protect the corridor, the beauty, and wildlife along the road," nothing specific is mentioned about preventing roadkill.

However, maybe if people driving through the forest -- say, on their way to Daytona Beach -- notice they are driving on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Highway, that will make them slow down and pay more attention to the wildlife and not just speed through to get from Point A to Point B. What do you think?

Second panther killed by car in Miami-Dade County

For the second time in just over a year, an endangered Florida panther has died on a southern Miami-Dade road; the cat -- found Wednesday along the 18-mile stretch to the Florida Keys about a half-mile south of Card Sound Road -- was the eighth killed on Florida roads this year - May 11, Miami Herald

Panther deaths bring this year's total to 8

A 2-year-old panther became the eighth to die this year after being plowed over on Interstate 75 in south Lee County late last week - April 2, Naples Daily News

Panther hit on I-4 roamed far from home

The Florida panther found dead Wednesday on Interstate 4 was thought to be one of the famed "leaping kittens" captured on film during its youth in one of the most beloved wildlife photographs of the rare breed - March 22, Orlando Sentinel

Florida black bear killed in eastern Naples

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking into the death of black bear found Wednesday on U.S. 41 about two miles east of State Road 92 - Jan. 25, Naples Daily News

Florida panther killed by car sets new record

A Florida panther was killed when hit by a vehicle on County Line Road just off Immokalee Road this morning, the 11th panther, the most in a year, to die on the roads this year - Dec. 12, Naples Daily News