Florida man and his dog killed in first fatal black bear attack in state history

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed on Friday that an 89-year-old man and his dog were tragically mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome. This marks the first fatal black bear attack in the history of the state of Florida.

Family members reported Robert Markel missing from his home and noticed signs of recent disturbances that could have been caused by a bear in the area. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, prompting an immediate response from FWC law enforcement and bear management staff to secure the area.

Markel’s remains were found about 100 yards from his home, along with evidence of a physical encounter between a bear and a person near the house. Additionally, a dog was killed by a bear near a person, and there were signs that a bear had entered the home itself.

In response to the situation, FWC personnel took action according to the agency’s Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines. Three adult male bears weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds were killed by FWC personnel from Monday night into early Tuesday morning. A fourth bear was unsuccessfully trapped, but DNA evidence was collected.

The carcasses of the three bears were taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from the scene. The Collier County Medical Examiner is still investigating, but preliminary findings suggest that Markel’s cause of death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear.

Necropsy results revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel. DNA results confirmed that the 263-pound male’s DNA was present on Markel, inside his home, and on the dog’s body. The only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears that were killed by authorities.

All three bears were tested for rabies, and results came back negative. FWC officials stayed in contact with the family and maintained a presence near the property until Friday, with only one additional bear spotted in the area.

Jerome is located in the South Bear Management Unit, which has a significant black bear population. The FWC received multiple bear-related calls in the surrounding area, leading to relocation efforts, capture attempts, and humane euthanasia when necessary.

While rare, wild black bears can pose a danger to humans, especially in the presence of cubs, food sources, or dogs. The FWC has documented previous incidents of bear-human contact, with three resulting in serious injuries requiring medical attention before this recent tragic event.

Chairman Rodney Barreto expressed gratitude to the family for their cooperation during this difficult time and commended the staff for their professional response and support. FWC officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance as needed to ensure public safety in the area.