Black Bear Roadkills in Florida

From 1976 to 1986,99 black bears (Ursus americanus) killed by motor vehicles were collected from roadsides throughout Florida. Males (N = 66) were killed approximately twice as frequently as females (N = 30). Males of dispersal age were killed more frequently than bears in other age classes. Seasonal peaks in roadkills occurred in May-July and in October-December. Strategies aimed at reducing the number of road-killed bears include driver education, bear crossing signs, and underpasses in new highway construction projects which allow bears safe passage.