FWC officer in good spirits, stable condition after shooting

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement officer, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds while patrolling in Brevard County Wednesday, is in stable condition and good spirits, according to FWC spokeswoman Carol Pratt.

Officer Vann Streety, a 10- year FWC veteran, was shot near the intersection of Satellite Boulevard and State Road 520 in Brevard County.

After Streety stopped Christopher A. Eddy (DOB 05/13/86), of 1214 Applecreek Lane in Rockledge, the officer attempted to arrest Eddy on warrants issued from Brevard County for multiple traffic violations. A struggle ensued during which Streety was shot many times.

Though Streety was wearing a bulletproof vest, he sustained gunshot wounds to his limbs and torso. Streety's injuries are not life threatening.

The FWC, the Brevard County Sheriff''s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are searching for Eddy.

Streety remains hospitalized at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne where he underwent surgery Thursday.

Streety was born in Leon County where he graduated from Leon High School in 1984. He worked as a dispatcher for the FWC for several years before becoming an officer in 2001 after attending the first FWC Academy.

The 42-year-old officer is married and has three children.

His father, Vann "Gene," and stepmother live in Crawfordville. His mother, Ethel Donaldson-Mast, and stepfather live in Palatka. He has three sisters and one brother.

Anyone having information as to the whereabouts of Eddy is encouraged to call the Crime Line at 1-800-423- TIPPS (8477). Blue-crab trap area closure ends

The harvest of blue crabs from traps in all waters of Broward through Pasco counties reopened on July 20. The use of traps to capture blue crabs was prohibited for a 10-day period in this area so lost and abandoned traps that remained in coastal and inland waters could be identified and removed.

Six regional 10-day blue crab trap closures take place in Florida at different times during the year, including a 10-day closure which begins on July 20 in the waters of Hernando through Wakulla counties, including all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Bay.

More information regarding the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's trap retrieval program, blue-crab trap closure dates, regulations and how you can participate in cleanup events is available online at http://www.myfwc.com/RUL ESANDREGS/SaltwaterTraps _index.htm.

FWC begins Burmese python permit program

A program to begin addressing the invasion of Burmese pythons in the Everglades began Friday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) initiated a permit program that will allow herpetology experts to go into state-managed lands in South Florida and search for and euthanize Burmese pythons and other Reptiles of Concern.

FWC staff screened the participants in this initial program. All permit holders are required to provide the FWC with GPS locations of each captured python and to take a digital photo. The FWC will then study the data, which will include location, size and stomach contents, to help further understand the spread of this nonnative species.

Armed with data, the FWC can share valuable information with the U.S. Geological Survey and Everglades National Park, which are investigating the behavior and biology of the Burmese python for a better understanding of the snake's requirements for survival. This knowledge can help eradicate the Burmese python from Florida.

"One Burmese python is too many," said Scott Hardin, FWC's Exotic Species Section leader. "We hope this program is the basis for a larger, expanded program that will aid us in preventing the spread of this species."

The permits for the first phase of this program go from July 17 to Oct. 31. The FWC will then evaluate expanding the program.

"This is a good way to collect information critical to finding the best way to eradicate this harmful snake," said Nick Wiley, FWC's assistant executive director. "This is a strategic and responsible approach to begin solving the problem of pythons in Florida."

Active bears roam for food and mates in the summer

A woman in Lehigh Acres in Lee County had a surprise on July 13 when she encountered a black bear outside of her work. Del Bagwell told officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) she was working at Country Cleaners in the Sunshine Plaza when she went outside at approximately 7:20 a.m. A black bear came running around the corner of the building and bumped into her.

"She was not knocked to the ground or injured," said FWC Officer Joanne Adams. "She said she looked at the bear, and the bear looked at her. Then she raised her arms and backed up slowly to the store door."

Bagwell then went inside the store and the bear ran off, Adams said.

"Ms. Bagwell did the right thing," said Dave Telesco, FWC Bear Management Program coordinator. "She did not panic or run; she backed away slowly, giving the bear a clear escape route to run away."

Seeing a bear in unfamiliar surroundings can be a surprising phenomenon. Even though the Florida black bear has increased in population in the past few decades, it is still considered a threatened species in Florida. As development encroaches on its habitat, it is not unusual for bears to be seen near human populations, but it is highly unusual for humans to come face-to-face with a bear.

However, if you do encounter a black bear at close range, take the following precautions: Remain standing straight up; back up slowly; speak in a calm, assertive voice; do not run or play dead; and leave the bear a clear escape route.

Summer is a very active time for bears. They are searching for a variety of fruits and other seasonal foods that grow throughout their range. Summer is also breeding season, when bears search far and wide for mates. Also, in late summer, juvenile bears disperse from their mother's home range and look for new habitat. All of those factors can bring bears into populated areas where they normally would not venture.

When wildlife appears in residential communities, the FWC urges residents to remove or secure anything that might attract animals, such as garbage cans, pet food, birdseed, outdoor grills and compost bins. If a bear continues to come into an area after all attractants have been removed and creates problems for residents, then the FWC will consider trapping the bear. Capturing bears is an option in circumstances where bears are causing a conflict or there is a safety risk.

Residents may call any FWC regional office, if they have any questions about bears, or they may call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 to report wildlife conflicts.