Lifespan and Population

Florida black bears live on average 20 to 25 years. However, mortality rates significantly increase when the bear reaches 10 years in age. Currently, there are only around 1,500 Florida black bears in existence. This traumatic number is drastically lower than the once assumed population of 12,000 bears. The future of the Florida black bear relies greatly on the preservation and proper management of Florida forest habitats. Another protective precaution to the population would be minimizing access for bears to cross the highway, as a result, decreasing the amount of black bears killed by automobiles.