The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) on Friday confirmed a person and his canine have been mauled to loss of life by a black bear in Jerome — marking the primary deadly black bear assault in state historical past.
Relations reported 89-year-old Robert Markel lacking from his house and “indicators of current disturbances” that might have been brought on by a bear or bears across the property.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace (CCSO) notified FWC workers on Monday of a potential deadly wildlife encounter, and FWC legislation enforcement and bear administration workers instantly responded to safe the realm.
Florida officers present an replace on a deadly black bear assault. (WINK-TV)
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Markel’s stays have been discovered about 100 yards from his house, together with proof of a “bodily encounter” between a bear and an individual close to the home, in line with a information launch from the FWC.
Officers additionally famous a canine was lately killed by a bear close to an individual, and there have been indicators {that a} bear had entered the house itself.
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Whereas the precise sequence of occasions stays unclear, the FWC’s Human-Bear Battle Response Insurance policies and Pointers define how the company ought to reply when confronted with conditions that require the removing of a bear for public security.
From Monday night time into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel killed three grownup male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 kilos, in line with the discharge.
Three black bears have been killed as a part of the Florida loss of life investigation. (iStock)
There was an unsuccessful try and lure a fourth bear, however DNA proof was collected, officers stated.
The three carcasses have been instantly taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, together with DNA samples collected from bodily proof on the scene.
FWC officers stated the Collier County Medical Examiner remains to be within the technique of finishing their investigation, however indicated Markel’s preliminary reason behind loss of life was “in keeping with accidents brought on by a black bear.”
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Necropsy outcomes revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial stays of Markel.
DNA outcomes obtained on Friday positively recognized that the 263-pound male’s DNA was current on Markel, inside his house and on the canine’s physique.
Authorities discovered the sufferer’s DNA within the bear’s abdomen. (WINK-TV)
The one bear DNA discovered on the scene matched the three bears that have been killed by authorities.
All three bears have been examined for rabies, and all outcomes have been destructive, in line with officers.
FWC legislation enforcement and bear administration workers stayed in touch with the household and maintained a presence close to the property till Friday, recognizing just one further bear within the space.
Regulation enforcement and bear administration workers will stay all through the weekend.
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“We wish to thank the household for his or her cooperation as they navigate this difficult time, and our ideas stay with them,” stated FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “I’m pleased with our workers’s skilled response and help for the household as they confronted an unfathomable occasion this week.”
Jerome is within the South Bear Administration Unit, which has the third-largest inhabitants of bears within the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015.
The person’s canine was additionally killed within the black bear assault. (iStock)
The FWC obtained 16 bear-related calls inside a 10-mile radius of close by Copeland between Could 5, 2024, and Could 4, 2025, leading to 5 web site visits, 5 seize efforts, three bears that have been relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed, in line with the FWC.
Whereas it’s uncommon for wild black bears to injure individuals in Florida, individuals have been bitten and scratched by bears, most frequently when there are cubs, meals sources or canine current.
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The FWC receives a mean of 6,300 bear-related calls yearly and has documented 42 prior incidents the place wild black bears have made bodily contact with individuals because the Nineteen Seventies, when complete information started being saved.
Of these, three resulted in critical accidents requiring medical consideration previous to the latest incident.
Alexandra Koch is a breaking information author for Fox Information Digital. Previous to becoming a member of Fox Information, Alexandra coated breaking information, crime, faith, and the army within the southeast.
