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For Immediate Release
Kids Go to Bat for Florida Black Bear - Defenders Announces Black Bear Essay Contest
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. -- Students in grades 3 through 7 will get a chance to do something positive for the Florida black bear in an essay contest announced today by Defenders of Wildlife. Writing on the topic "The Florida Black Bear -- An Umbrella Species," student essayists will compete for first, second and third place prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 savings bonds.
"We felt this contest would be an ideal way not only to encourage students to learn about the bears, but also about the important ways that different species depend on one another," said Defenders of Wildlife’s Education Associate, Yvonne Borresen. "Education is an important part of bear conservation, especially with younger audiences who may not know much about them."
A unique subspecies of the American black bear, the Florida black bear is considered a species of special concern by the state of Florida. At the beginning of the 20th century, over 12,000 bears lived throughout the state from the panhandle to the Keys; today fewer than 2,000 bears remain in isolated populations -- less than 20 percent of the bear's historic range in the state. In urbanizing Florida, that range continues to shrink, with an estimated 20 acres of wildlife habitat lost to development every hour. Other threats to black bears include road-kills and poaching. With the black bear considered an "umbrella" species–a species that helps sustain other species in its ecosystem–the loss of black bears affects other animal populations as well.
In addition to the prizes, winning essays will be posted on the Defenders of Wildlife Web site and at the Carnivores 2002 conference to be held next November in Monterey, California.
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