Latest news with #RobertMarkel
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida bear attack victim dragged from ransacked camper in deadly mauling, 911 calls reveal
Editor's note: A previous version of this story indicated the wrong relationship between Sue Story and Robert Markel. When Sue Story found her grandfather's dog being mauled in her front yard and no sign of Robert Markel, she told authorities something was not right. According to an incident report from the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Story, 65, told authorities a bear killed the dog, but she could not find Markel, 89. Story told authorities that when she went to check Markel's camper, also on her property, he was not there. The last time she saw her grandfather was about 7:30 p.m. May 4, the night before. When she spoke with authorities, Story told them Markel's camper was "in disarray." When a responding sheriff's deputy checked the trailer, as described in the report, the mattress was off the bed and items were scattered throughout the trailer. The sheriff's deputy indicated he did not find blood in the trailer. Then, approximately 20 yards from the trailer, in nearby woods, he said authorities found a wallet, pants and a T-shirt that "appeared to be saturated in blood." When officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived, they found Markel's body approximately 100 yards from the trailer. FWC announcement: FWC takes bears for DNA analysis after deadly attack kills man, dog in rural Collier County Dirt and leaves covered Markel's remains, the report states. Authorities said it is the first time in recorded Florida history a black bear has killed a human. During a May 6 press conference, authorities said officials were working to find the bear, with three already killed and taken to Gainesville for DNA analysis. Officials also said Markel and the dog were home alone during the incident and that Markel likely died two hours before the dog. Officers continue to set traps and search for bears. Authorities received two 911 calls as bystanders became aware of the canine's mauling. "He's already killed a dog," the first of two callers, identifying as a grandson of Markel and his father, reported, later adding that, "One of the bears is still here." The caller then warned the dispatcher he was venturing out to search for the bear. "I'm putting my clothes on and I'm taking my gun," the caller said. "I'm gonna go look for this bear." The caller said they did not know how long Markel has been gone. During a second call, which lasted 20 minutes, he said they saw a bear grab and maul the dog. The 911 dispatcher asked if Markel could have run away. "He's 89. He literally can't walk," the caller said. The caller said the bears frequent the area, grab the nearby trash and "all of the sudden decided to take him." Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@ or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez. Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You may email her at THussein@ This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Bear attack in Florida: Man dragged from camper in fatal mauling
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bears in Alabama? They're few, protected, and tracked with your help. Here's what to know
The death of a Florida man on May 5 in Florida's first recorded fatal bear attack is shining a spotlight on bear safety concerns across the southeast, including Alabama. Robert Markel, an 89-year-old, and his dog were killed in the attack. The bear has been identified and was shot. Florida officials say that a post-mortem examination of the bear led to officials finding partial remains of Markel in the bear's body. Alabama's black bear population remains small but steady, with fewer than 500 individuals estimated to roam the state's forests and swamps. These secretive animals are rarely seen in the dense woodlands of north Alabama or the more remote areas. Wildlife officials rely more than ever on public sightings to keep tabs on this elusive species. Here's what we know about their numbers, where they live and how you can help track them. According to Alabama wildlife officials, fewer than 500 black bears live in Alabama. About 250 roam the northern part of the state, 150 are in the south, and a few more are scattered elsewhere. As bear populations grow in nearby states, some are crossing into Alabama and could be settling in permanently. There is no traditional large-scale tagging system for the bears of Alabama. Still, officials encourage the public to report bear sightings to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' black bear observation site. According to the Outdoor Alabama website, the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is collaborating with Auburn University to use data collected to track their population size, density, demographics and more to help with management practices of the state's bears. To report a sighting, you'll first enter your name, address and contact information. On the next screen, you'll describe what you saw: a bear, tracks, fur or something else. You can also upload photos, send out the GPS coordinates and give directions to where the sighting happened. The system is constantly updated as new sightings come in from the public, helping officials track Alabama's bear population in real time. Black bears in Alabama are protected by law, though they aren't considered endangered. Because of their protected status, there's no open hunting season. While seeing a bear might feel alarming, actual conflicts, like damage to a person or property, are uncommon. To help keep it that way, wildlife officials encourage residents to follow BearWise, a program that teaches people how to live responsibly where bears can be present. This includes tips like securing trash, removing bird feeders, never feeding bears and so on. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Are there bears in Alabama? Few, but your sighting helps track them
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history. Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and "signs of recent disturbances" that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property. The Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear management staff immediately responded to secure the area. Young Kangaroo Hops Around Florida Town After Brazen Escape, Owner Charged 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, according to a news release from the FWC. Officials also noted a dog was recently killed by a bear near a person, and there were signs that a bear had entered the home itself. Read On The Fox News App Nih Closes Experimentation Labs Accused Of Brutally Killing Thousands Of Beagles For 40+ Years While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, the FWC's Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should respond when faced with situations that require the removal of a bear for public safety. From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds, according to the release. There was an unsuccessful attempt to trap a fourth bear, but DNA evidence was collected, officials said. The three carcasses were immediately taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene. FWC officials said the Collier County Medical Examiner is still in the process of completing their investigation, but indicated Markel's preliminary cause of death was "consistent with injuries caused by a black bear." World's Tallest, Shortest Dogs Meet For Precious Playdate Caught On Camera Necropsy results revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel. DNA results received on Friday positively identified 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 all results were negative, according to officials. FWC law enforcement and bear management staff stayed in contact with the family and maintained a presence near the property until Friday, spotting only one additional bear in the area. Law enforcement and bear management staff will remain throughout the weekend. Pittsburgh Funeral Director Charged With Swindling Pet Owners, Dumping Pets' Remains In Landfill "We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "I am proud of our staff's professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week." Jerome is in the South Bear Management Unit, which has the third-largest population of bears in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015. The FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025, resulting in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed, according to the FWC. While it is rare for wild black bears to injure people in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears, most often when there are cubs, food sources or dogs present. The FWC receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls annually and has documented 42 prior incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people since the 1970s, when comprehensive records began being kept. Of those, three resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention prior to the most recent article source: Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Fox News
Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history. Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and "signs of recent disturbances" that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property. The Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear management staff immediately responded 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, according to a news release from the FWC. Officials also noted a dog was recently killed by a bear near a person, and there were signs that a bear had entered the home itself. While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, the FWC's Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should respond when faced with situations that require the removal of a bear for public safety. From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds, according to the release. There was an unsuccessful attempt to trap a fourth bear, but DNA evidence was collected, officials said. The three carcasses were immediately taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene. FWC officials said the Collier County Medical Examiner is still in the process of completing their investigation, but indicated Markel's preliminary 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 received on Friday positively identified 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 all results were negative, according to officials. FWC law enforcement and bear management staff stayed in contact with the family and maintained a presence near the property until Friday, spotting only one additional bear in the area. Law enforcement and bear management staff will remain throughout the weekend. "We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "I am proud of our staff's professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week." Jerome is in the South Bear Management Unit, which has the third-largest population of bears in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015. The FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025, resulting in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed, according to the FWC. While it is rare for wild black bears to injure people in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears, most often when there are cubs, food sources or dogs present. The FWC receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls annually and has documented 42 prior incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people since the 1970s, when comprehensive records began being kept. Of those, three resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention prior to the most recent incident.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- The Sun
Elderly man, 89, and his dog killed in brutal black bear attack in Florida as lab workers make grisly discovery
AN 89-year-old man and his beloved dog were mauled to death in a horrifying black bear attack in southwest Florida that led lab workers to a grisly discovery. The gruesome scene unfolded early Monday morning when Robert Markel and his pet were killed near his camper home in the remote town of Jerome. 4 4 4 4 What wildlife officers later found in the lab made the tragedy even more chilling. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials said partial remains of Mr Markel were found inside a 263-pound male black bear - one of three bears euthanized after the attack. It is now the first confirmed fatal bear attack in the state's history, officials say. The eerie discovery was confirmed by necropsy results released Friday. DNA testing showed the same bear's genetic material was found on Mr Markel's body, inside his home, and on his dog's corpse. Officials stopped short of confirming the bear killed the elderly man, but a preliminary autopsy then revealed his injuries were "consistent with a bear attack." Mr Markel's heartbroken grandson made the harrowing 911 call after stumbling upon the carnage. He told the dispatcher: "I'm putting my clothes on, getting my gun, and going to look for a bear. "The bear just got the dog, the dog's dead. Baltimore's New Parking Crackdown: Fines Reach $150 Under Tiered Enforcement "We went in to check on him in the camper, he's gone, the camper's tore all apart." When asked if his grandfather may have run from the beast, he replied: "He's 89, he can't run. He can't even walk without falling over." Mr Markel and his dog were discovered 182 meters (200 yards) apart, with signs that the bear had broken into the camper while the grandson was sleeping nearby. FWC officers set traps and cameras around the property and killed three adult male bears weighing 93, 119, and 196kg. They were sent to a Gainesville lab for necropsies and rabies testing, which none of them tested positive for. Officials also tried to capture a fourth bear but were unsuccessful. In a statement, FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said: "We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them. "I am proud of our staff's professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week." The horror attack marks a somber first in Florida history. While black bears - the only bear species found in the state - have previously scratched or bitten people, no fatal encounters have ever been recorded until now. Since the 1970s, just 42 physical bear-human contacts have been documented, with only three causing serious injury. Wildlife experts say the attack is highly unusual. Florida is home to roughly 4,050 black bears, and sightings have become more common as the animals wander into rural neighbourhoods, particularly in north and central Florida. FWC urged residents living near bear habitats to keep garbage, food, and pets secure, and to report any threatening bear behavior. The investigation remains open as officials work to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal mauling.
