Florida confirms first deadly black bear attack in state history

JEROME, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) - Officials in Florida confirmed that a man and his dog found dead earlier this month were killed by a bear, a first for the state.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported they have finished their initial investigation into what officials have called the first fatal black bear attack in state history.

Evidence and DNA collected from a black bear killed this week confirmed it was the animal that killed 89-year-old Robert Markel and his dog, state wildlife officials said.

Officers responded to a possible fatal wildlife encounter on May 5 after a family reported a relative missing from his home in Jerome, Florida. They reported signs of recent disturbances that could have been caused by a bear or bears that were found around the property.

Markel’s remains were found about 100 yards from his home, along with evidence that there was a physical encounter between a bear and a person. His dog was found with signs that it had been killed by a bear. Authorities also said signs that a bear had entered the house.

That night, officials killed three adult male bears. They attempted to trap a fourth bear but were unsuccessful. However, they were able to get DNA evidence from the animal.

The Collier County Medical Examiner is still investigating, but indicated the preliminary cause of death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear.

Necropsy results revealed that one of the bears, a 263-pound male, contained the partial remains of Markel. DNA results received May 9 positively identified that the 263-pound male’s DNA was present on Markel, inside his residence and on the dog’s body.

The bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears lethally taken. All three were tested for rabies, and all results were negative.

The investigation will remain open until all testing is completed and the results have been thoroughly reviewed.

Florida’s South Bear Management Unit, where the attack took place, has the third-largest population of bears in the state. In 2015, there were an estimated 1,044 bears in the area. Data shows the bear population has continued to grow since then.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland, Florida, between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025. The calls resulted in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed.

While it is rare for wild black bears in Florida to injure people, people have been bitten and scratched by bears, most often when there are cubs, food sources or dogs present.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls annually and has documented 42 prior incidents where wild black bears have made physical with people since the 1970s, when comprehensive records began being kept. Of those, three resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention prior to this incident.

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