Picture this: a Florida resident out kayaking on the St Johns River, only to witness a jaw-dropping scene of two alligators in a fierce brawl with a black bear.
Tyler Futrell was in for a surprise when he spotted the bear crossing the river while he was out on his kayak ride. The video captured the bear approaching the alligators and engaging in an unexpected water showdown. Talk about nature’s drama at its finest!
Describing the encounter to Fox News, Futrell mentioned how he felt like he was about to watch something out of National Geographic. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that you don’t expect to see again, even if you live to be a hundred.
Now, that’s what I call a bear taking on the dragons of the river!
Florida has seen a rise in the populations of black bears and alligators. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported significant growth in both species, estimating around 1.3 million alligators across the state.
Alligators in Florida inhabit various freshwater environments like rivers, lakes, marshes, and swamps in all 67 counties. Their nesting habits play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem’s balance by creating habitats and regulating prey populations.
Recent estimates by FWC suggest that there are approximately 4,050 Black Bears in Florida, showing a significant 53% increase from previous counts. Most bears are concentrated in central and south Florida, making encounters like these quite rare. Central Florida alone is home to about 1,200 black bears, including those along the St Johns River and throughout the region.
Black bears and alligators don’t typically prey on each other and have limited overlapping hunting areas. While bears have a diet of insects, berries, fruits, fish, and birds, they usually steer clear of the more reptilian fare.
While Futrell may have pushed boundaries to capture his “wildlife cinema,” it’s essential to remember the official advice: avoid approaching bears in the wild. Such interactions may disrupt their natural behaviors. Instead, calmly move away while standing tall, avoid eye contact, and speak in a reassuring tone as per Florida authorities.