Bear-proof trash cans are being offered at a steep discount to Marion County residents.
In 2014, about 32 percent of the 518 bear complaints to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Marion County were associated with bears getting into residents’ garbage. To help mitigate this problem, Marion County is teaming up with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide highly-discounted bear-proof trash cans to residents.
Through a grant from FWC, Marion County Parks and Recreation and Marion County Solid Waste are offering:
• 64-gallon bear-proof trash can for $40 ($170 value).
• 96-gallon bear proof trash can for $60 ($180 value).
Interested residents should call Parks and Recreation (352-671-8560) to purchase. Quantities are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to FWC, trash is the No. 1 bear-attractor in Florida. Bears that become food conditioned are more likely to return to residential areas and cause property damage to get to the food source. They also lose their fear of people and can become a threat. Using bear-proof trash cans helps deter bears from associating your home as a food source. For more information, contact www.MarionCountyFL.org/bearaware.
