I have a bad feeling that unless something is done quickly these poor animals might end up on the nuisance list and we all know what that means. Fish and Game or whoever needs to be aware that these animals are increasing in presence around here and start educating the public about securing garbage and dumpsters. They have a pretty good food supply around here without the dumpsters but add about 20 restaurant left-over laden dumpsters sitting there open all might and you have the makings of a disaster. I am not sure if bear proof dumpsters are available in this area but someone might want to look into it before it gets really bad around here.
This is a good point. All it takes is a few people to start getting nervous before a mob with torches and pitchforks starts canvasing the forests. The last bear/dumpster situation around here that I've heard of was maybe 11 years ago at the Donut Hole on 98. I'm not sure if I remember what happened as a result - I think that they may have captured it and released it on the Eglin preserve.
Here's a link to a Walton Sun story about the Grayton bear. Offers a reward for a picture. And quotes a resident of the Preserve (ironic name ) who wants it relocated.
Can we relocate all the residents of SoWal who want to get rid of the native wildlife?
Black bear staking a claim in Grayton neighborhood | class, bear, grayton - Breaking News - WaltonSun.com