Bear breaks into lanai, kills two pet rabbits in Fort Myers' Reflections Isles community

Florida wildlife officers and Lee County deputies searched the Reflections Isles community in Fort Myers after a bear broke into a lanai and killed two pet rabbits, leaving residents worried about future encounters.

Wildlife close to home

Bob Decker, a resident of the nearby Paseo neighborhood whose home borders the Six-Mile Cypress, said he often sees wildlife in his backyard.

"We have an otter that comes and visits our pond, a raccoon as well, and I've had two or three alligators," Decker said.

However, he expressed surprise about a bear being so close to his home.

"Wow. It just surprises me that they're this close," he said.

Neighbors in Reflections Isles said the bear was spotted again after the incident, raising concerns about whether it might return. Wildlife officers used a drone to search the area throughout the morning but were unable to locate the animal.

FWC urges bear caution

Dayllon D'Paula, another Paseo resident, shared his perspective on the situation.

"They're constructing into, you know, their homes and stuff, and it makes sense. They have to go somewhere," D'Paula said.

He added, "Not that much we can do about it. But if you know if it were to come, you got to be careful with it."

Just a day earlier, a viewer in Estero shared a photo of bears rummaging through the back of a pickup truck, further highlighting the presence of wildlife in the area.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents to stay clear of bears and report any sightings.

If you have bears in your area, follow these additional BearWise® tips to help prevent conflicts with bears:

Bears in in unexpected place? What to do

Secure food and garbage.

• Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
• If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
• Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
• Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
• Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

Remove or secure bird and wildlife feeders.

• Remove wildlife feeders.
• If wildlife feeders are left up, only put enough food out for wildlife to finish eating before dark and make feeders bear-resistant.

Never leave pet food outdoors.

• Feed pets indoors.
• If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding.

Clean and store grills.

• Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use.
• If mobile, store them in a secure shed or garage.

Alert neighbors to bear activity.

• If you see a bear, let your neighbors know.
• Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure.

If you spot an injured, orphaned or dead bear, feel threatened by a bear, or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).