Environment reporter Chad Gillis had a story published recently that took a closer look at the black bear population in Florida and how it has gone through different periods of decline and growth. Included in his story, “Florida’s black bears may be in the crosshairs again as public calls rise with development”, was the possibility of a statewide bear hunt coming back. Here’s a Q&A we did with Chad about his story:
Question: Where did the idea come from for this story? Why did you tell this story?
Answer: The idea actually sprang from the editorial mind power here at the News-Press and Naples Daily News. Two of our editors had noticed a trend in the black bear phone call data, so we decided to focus on the species and talk about how bears fit into our lives and how we fit into theirs.
What is something you learned from reporting this story that you didn’t know before?
That just about everyone likes black bears. From conservation groups to the agencies that manage the bear, I think there’s a huge amount of respect for the animal, maybe more so than in other areas of the nation.
For a story like this one, do you have a “game plan”? In other words, how do you go about researching the topic, determining whom to interview and then putting it all together?
The data was there, and the interest was there. We just needed to tell the story. I worked from a huge outline that started from a list of ideas. Those ideas started at the editor level.
You had some strong sources in this story. How do you decide which quotes to use from your sources? You can’t use everything they say, right?
It would have been nice to delve into things like: where do bears fit into indigenous cultures and how are they viewed and appreciated by the Seminole and Micccosukkee?
The lead or beginning is so important to our stories. For this story, did this lead come to you right away or did it require some extra time? It’s a great lead. What were you trying to achieve in those opening words and paragraphs for the reader?
Thanks. It didn’t take long. I was just trying to kind of summons the feelings Americans have for bears.
Have you had an opportunity to see a bear in person? If yes, what was that experience like?
Once I was hiking with a great Dane and a mutt dog and we came upon two cubs. Behind them was the mother. We slowly backed away from the three of them. The mother watched us, huffed a couple of times and then left with the cubs.
Did this story give you any ideas for future stories about bears or other wildlife in Southwest Florida?
Nice question. It does give me kind of some fodder for future stories. I think Florida is at a unique place when it comes to development and conservation. People from all over the world love wildlife in Florida.
Who is your favorite bear among this group you have in your story? Smokey the Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Yogi the Bear, his sidekick Boo Boo, Fozzie Bear from the Muppet Show or Paddington Bear?
Tough question. I love Yogi, but Smokey the Bear is probably my favorite. I think I wanted to be a forestry worker when I was very young, and his public service ads always spoke to me.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: How many black bears are estimated to be living in Florida?