Bear Caught on Camera Trying to Steal Amazon Package in Florida

A family's Ring camera captured a bear sniffing and then leaving an Amazon package on their front porch in Longwood, Florida.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A Florida family on vacation received a Ring notification and watched as a bear attempted to steal an Amazon package from their front porch in Longwood. The bear sniffed the package, turned away, then reconsidered before ultimately leaving the package, which contained cell phone charging cords, on the walkway.

Why it matters

Bear sightings are common in the Longwood area, which is located near several Central Florida state wildlife preserves and parks. However, this incident of a bear trying to steal a package is a new occurrence for the neighborhood. The bear population in Florida has grown enough that the state brought back a bear hunt in 2025 after a 10-year hiatus.

The details

The family was on vacation when they received a Ring notification and were able to view the bear's attempt to steal the package in real-time. The bear initially sniffed the package, turned away, then went back to reconsider before ultimately leaving the package, which contained cell phone charging cords, on the walkway by the front door.

  • On February 17, 2026, the bear was caught on the family's Ring camera trying to steal the Amazon package.

The players

Longwood Residents

Residents of the Longwood neighborhood in Florida, where bear sightings are common due to the area's proximity to several state wildlife preserves and parks.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency that oversees wildlife management in Florida, including the decision to reinstate a bear hunt in 2025 after a 10-year hiatus due to the growing bear population.

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What’s next

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may continue to monitor the bear population in the Longwood area and consider additional measures to address any concerns about bears interacting with residential areas and potentially stealing packages or other items.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation and human-bear interactions in Florida, especially in areas where residential neighborhoods are located near state wildlife preserves. It also demonstrates the creativity of bears in seeking out new food sources, even if that means attempting to steal packages left on people's doorsteps.