Feeding wildlife on that next trip to the state park or other natural areas in Florida could end up costing you. If experiencing Florida’s wildlife is what you are looking for, an Orlando Airboat Tour can do that while respecting nature’s laws. Lawmakers now want to change the penalties for feeding wildlife after an incident where Longwood residents were feeding black bears in their neighborhood and a neighbor was attacked. Three people appeared in court and were charged with misdemeanor criminal offenses from the incident. Anyone caught feeding wildlife will be fined $100, under a new Florida law.
Summary of the Florida Wildlife Feeding Bill
The House of Representatives has conducted a complete analysis of the rules regulating feeding of wildlife on Florida land. According to the summary, voters amended the Florida Constitution to create the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in 1998, an organization that has the power to adopt rules regulating wildlife and fresh water aquatic life without authority from the Legislature.
Page 8 of the document indicates that the FWC adopted rules to “prohibit intentionally feeding bears, foxes, and raccoons; pelicans; sandhill cranes; bald eagles; and alligators and crocodiles.” These rules were designed to protect the species and people. They report that animals fed by humans may become more comfortable being in contact with people and this can increase animal encounters on roads , which may increase the number of accidents, and feeding animals could disrupt their natural diet and affect behavior.
Proposed Penalties for Wildlife Feeding
The proposed penalties would charge a $100 fine as a noncriminal infraction for a first offense. A second offense would result in up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail. A third offense would be a first degree misdemeanor for bears, alligators, and crocodiles, and a second degree misdemeanor for all other species of wildlife and freshwater fish. A fourth or subsequent offense would be a third degree felony with up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to five years in prison for bears, alligators, and crocodiles, and a second degree misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for all other species of wildlife or freshwater fish. Wild Florida can get you close to nature on a Orlando airboat tour but keeps you within Florida’s wildlife laws.
