BLACK BEAR CONSERVATION PLAN: What Texas plans to do 
to protect the endangered Louisiana black bear ... details 
ahead on Passport to Texas ... 
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Passport to Texas from TPWD and the SFWR Program

Once abundant throughout east Texas, black bear are 
now a federally threatened species in our state.

The animal we're talking about primarily is the luteolus sub 
species. :04

Also known as the Louisiana black bear ... Nathan Garner, 
region three wildlife director, says the bears are slowly 
returning to east Texas, and to help them along, Texas 
Parks and Wildlife, with its partners, developed an East 
Texas Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan.

It is a comprehensive plan that covers the next ten years of 
science and management through cooperative efforts with 
partners to conserve and manage this returning resource to 
east Texas. :11

At this time, sub-adult males are beginning to return, but 
no females as yet. So the plan proposes introducing 
females and their cubs to the region.

It would be a highly controlled research project. But there would 
have to be a tremendous amount of public support and political 
support for us to be able to bring bears back in to help mother 
nature along here in east Texas. :11

Education also plays a significant role in the plan.

We're going to develop more information and educational 
materials for people about how to live in bear country with 
minimal human bear conflicts. :08

That's our show ... made possible by the Sport Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Program ... working to increase 
fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in 
Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti. 

Total sound bite time:		0:34.0
 Maximum Script time:		0:52.0 Suggested show time: 86.0 = 1:26