FLORIDA - From the suburban sprawl of Central Florida to the coastal communities of the Gulf, Florida residents are entering the New Year with a stark warning from wildlife officials. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has noted a sharp increase in reports of predators—specifically urban coyotes and, in some regions, Florida black bears—exhibiting unusually "brazen" behavior in residential neighborhoods throughout late 2025 and into early 2026.
While Floridians are accustomed to sharing their state with wildlife, officials warn that these animals are increasingly losing their natural fear of humans, leading to dangerous encounters in backyards, lanais, and local parks.
Here is what residents need to know about this emerging threat as we begin the new year.
1. The "Brazen" Coyote: No Longer Just Nocturnal
The primary focus of the new warning is the highly adaptable urban coyote. Historically shy and nocturnal, coyotes in Florida's most densely populated counties (including Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Palm Beach) are changing their tactics.
- Daylight Stalking: The FWC has received numerous reports in December 2025 of coyotes following dog walkers during broad daylight hours, sometimes shadowing them for several blocks.
- Fence Jumpers: "Backyard safety" is becoming a myth. These predators easily clear standard 4-to-6-foot residential fences to snatch small pets.
- The "Escort" Behavior: Perhaps the most unnerving new behavior is coyotes' "escorting" residents off what the animal perceives as its territory, standing their ground on sidewalks and growling rather than fleeing when approached by humans.
2. The Lanai-Breaching Bear
While coyotes are the widespread backyard threat, specific regions—particularly the Panhandle and the Wekiva River basin in Central Florida—are dealing with increasingly bold black bears.
- Breaking the Barrier: In late 2025, there was a spike in reports of bears tearing through screened enclosure panels (lanais) to access patios.
- The Target: They aren't looking for people; they are looking for refrigerators stocked with drinks in outdoor kitchens, greasy barbecue grills, or bags of pet food left on the patio. However, this brings massive, powerful animals inches away from glass sliding doors where families sleep.
3. The Root Cause: The "Fed" Predator
Why are they becoming so bold right now? Biologists point to a critical mistake residents keep making: habituation through food.
When a coyote or bear finds an easy meal near a house—an unsecured trash can, a bowl of cat food left for a stray, or fallen fruit from a tree—they associate humans with food. Once that connection is made, they lose their fear. A predator that is not afraid of humans is dangerous.
How to Protect Your Home and Pets
The FWC urges all Floridians to take immediate "predator-proofing" steps this January:
- The "Short Leash" Rule: Never let small pets (cats or dogs under 30 lbs) outside unattended, even in a fenced backyard, especially at dawn or dusk. When walking dogs, keep them on a short leash.
- Lock Down Trash: If you live in bear country, use certified bear-resistant bins. Everywhere else, do not put trash curbside until the morning of pickup.
- Feed Pets Indoors: Never leave kibble bowls outside overnight. The scent acts as a beacon for hungry predators for miles.
- Clear the Perimeter: Trim overgrown bushes near your home, as these provide perfect ambush cover for coyotes waiting for a house cat to emerge.
What to Do During an Encounter
If you come face-to-face with a coyote or bear in your yard, your instinct may be to run. Do not run. This triggers a chase response.
Instead, practice "Hazing":
- Make yourself huge: Raise your arms over your head.
- Get loud: Yell aggressively at the animal. "GO AWAY!"
- Use tools: Bang pots and pans together, use an air horn, or spray them with a garden hose.
The goal is to make the encounter an unpleasant experience for the animal, reinforcing their natural fear of humans and teaching them that neighborhoods are not safe hunting grounds.
