First fatal Florida black bear attack in state history, FWC confirmed
According to a news release, on Monday, May 5, the Collier County Sheriff's Office notified FWC staff of a possible fatal wildlife encounter. Family members had reported a missing relative and noticed signs of disturbances that could have been a result of a bear.
The FWC law enforcement and bear management staff quickly responded to secure the area, collected information, and implemented protocols to lethally remove any bears that were suspected of being involved.
The FWC said the remains of 89-year-old Robert Markel were found around 100 yards from his residence.
Investigators noted various findings, including evidence implying a physical encounter between a bear and a person near the residence, a dog that was recently killed by a bear near a person, and signs that a bear had entered the home.
The FWC's Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should react when faced with situations that require a bear to be removed for public safety.
The FWC said that they do not make the decision lightly, but in this case, with each of the three documented situations, it required lethal removal.
From Monday evening to Tuesday morning, the FWC lethally removed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds.
Additionally, there was an unsuccessful attempt to capture a fourth bear. However, DNA evidence was collected. The three carcasses and DNA samples were transported to laboratories located in Gainesville for necropsy and testing.
The FWC added that the Collier County Medical Examiner is currently in the process of completing their investigation. They did imply that the preliminary cause of death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear.
Necropsy results concluded that the 263-pound black bear contained partial remains of Markel. On Friday, DNA results positively concluded that the 263-pound male black bear was present on Markel, inside his residence, and on the dog's body.
The only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears that were lethally taken, and all three tested negative for rabies.
The FWC law enforcement and bear management will continue to observe the area through the weekend as a result of them spotting one additional bear on Thursday night, which had appeared and then left the area.
Guidelines for what to do in the event a bear approaches you are available at MyFWC.com/Bear. To learn more about bears and how to avoid conflicts with them, visit BearWise.org.
Please contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead, or orphaned bear; or report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them.
The FWC said the investigation will remain open until all testing is completed and the results have been thoroughly reviewed.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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