Resident reports bold bear sightings near Hardifall; city directs caller to state wildlife agency

A Sebring resident on Sept. 2 told the City Council that a wild black bear had come up to her back door and rummaged in trash near the New Testament Mission homeless shelter and neighboring yards. Frank Cardesano, who identified himself as a Hardifall-area resident, described seeing a young bear at close range and expressed concern for children playing in nearby yards. He asked whether the animal could be relocated because it had become “bolder and bolder.” City staff replied that the city does not have legal authority to trap or relocate bears and recommended the resident contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The staff member said bears are handled by the state agency and that neighborhoods around Sebring have seen multiple bear sightings. The resident was advised to report the incident to FWC so its officers can evaluate whether the animal is habituated to human food sources and determine appropriate state-led response actions. No city action to trap or relocate the bear was undertaken or authorized during the meeting.