Heartbreaking 911 call reveals why Florida man, 89, fell into clutches of bear that killed him and his dog

Daily Mail​

07-05-2025

A devastating 911 call revealed the gruesome details behind a bear attack that killed an elderly Florida man and his dog.
Robert Markel, 89, was found dead alongside his dog at his home near the quiet community of Jerome in Collier County.
Authorities were alerted to the chilling scene shortly after 7am on Monday, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson George Reynaud.
Markel's grandson made the heartbreaking 911 call after discovering the chaotic scene in his grandfather's camper, reported WBBH.
'I'm putting my clothes on, getting my gun, and going to look for a bear,' the grandson said.
'The bear just got the dog, the dog's dead. We went in to check on him in the camper, he's gone, the camper's tore all apart.'
The dispatcher asked Markel's grandson if it was possible that the elderly man ran from the bear.
Markel's grandson replied, 'He's 89, he can't run. He can't even walk without falling over.'
Markel and his dog were found in separate locations, approximately 200 yards apart.
'We are investigating this as a suspected fatal wildlife attack involving a bear,' Reynaud said at a press briefing Monday evening.
The incident occurred in the area of State Road 29 and US 41 just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.
'Preliminary information indicates the incident resulted in the death of a man and a dog,' Reynaud continued.
'We do know it was a bear attack. We don't know if it was the same bear or multiple bears.'
'I do want to make clear that these two incidents seem to have occurred some time apart,' he added.
The bear is believed to still be prowling the area with fears rising among local residents.
'The bear involved may still be in the area,' Reynaud warned. 'As our officers continue to secure the perimeter, out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the area.'
Authorities have killed at least three bears and have sent them off for DNA testing to see if they were the attackers
'Public safety is paramount for us, so we will have officers staged in that area and in that perimeter to ensure public safety at this time,' Reynaud said.
'We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Markel,' Reynaud said.
'At this time we have deployed four live bear traps around the vicinity of where the incident occurred in an attempt to capture this bear.'
The FWC has captured and killed at least three bears who may have been involved in the attack but it won't be confirmed until DNA results come back.
Wildlife experts note that black bears - the only species found in Florida - typically avoid human contact.
The attack was particularly unusual and concerning. The state is home to approximately 4,050 black bears, according to the FWC.