Black bear explores Bokeelia resident’s yard
Animal's activities recorded on home security video
Lori Liano of Marina Drive in Bokeelia said she didn’t know if bears were even seen on Pine Island until she saw one hanging around her yard.
“We were leaving for church Sunday morning and Gianna, our 13 year-old, said a racoon must have knocked down the garbage,” Liano said. “We looked at the security video to see the raccoon and we saw that it was a bear and he was at the front door and he was at the back door.”
Security footage clocked the bear on Liano’s property for at least 10 minutes, she said. She asked some of her neighbors about whether or not they’d ever seen bears and was told to call Florida Fish and Wildlife.
“I didn’t even think about seeing a bear here, because we never saw one. I reached out to FWC and they put me through to a biologist who said he was probably dispersed from his family and probably swam here,” Liano said.
While Liano said the last thing she wants is for anyone to hurt an animal, she does want locals to be aware of the bear’s presence. She said her husband estimated the bear’s weight at about 200 pounds.
“At the pool this morning I asked, ‘Has anyone seen a bear on Pine Island?’ Everyone said, There’s no such thing as bear on Pine Island,'” Liano said with a laugh.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email