The bear was just west of the Florosa Fire Department station.

staff report

MARY ESTHER — Motorists driving near Florosa Elementary School early Wednesday morning may have noticed a sad sight.

A young female black bear, weighing about 100 pounds, was struck and killed along U.S. Highway 98 some time before 6 a.m.

The first report came to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 5:45 a.m., according to the call history record. The caller wasn’t sure if it was a bear or a boar, the report said.

The bear was just west of the Florosa Fire Department station.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified about 10 minutes later and sent a contractor to remove the bear, according to FWC officials.

Florida black bears are the only species of bear found in Florida.

An adult male black bear typically weighs about 250 pounds while adult females usually weigh between 130 and 180 pounds.

The largest male bears recorded in Florida were 760 pounds and 740 pounds. The largest female was 400 pounds.