A man and his dog were in Jerome, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Friday The first deadly black bear attack in national history.
Family members reported that Robert Markel, 89, disappeared at his home, possibly as a “recent sign of riot” due to bears or bears around the property.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday during a possible deadly wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear managers responded immediately to ensure the area is safe.
Florida officials provide the latest news on the deadly black bear attack. (Blink TV)
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According to a FWC press release, Markle's body is about 100 yards away from his home, as well as evidence of a "physical encounter" between the bear and the people near the house.
Officials also noted that a dog was recently killed by a bear near a person, with signs that the bear had entered the house itself.
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Although the exact sequence of events is unclear, the FWC’s Human Forged Conflict Response Policy and Guidelines outline how the agency should respond in the face of the need to expel bears for public safety.
According to the press release, from Monday night to early Tuesday, FWC personnel killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds.
Three black bears were killed as part of the Florida death investigation. (iStock)
Officials said attempts to capture the fourth bear were not allowed, but DNA evidence was collected.
The three bodies were immediately taken to the Gainesville laboratory for autopsy and testing, as well as DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene.
FWC officials said Collier County medical examiners are still completing the investigation but said Markle's initial cause of death "consistent with the injury caused by the black bear."
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The autopsy results showed that a bear (263 pound male) contained some residue from Markle.
DNA results obtained Friday showed that Markel, at home and on the dog's body, had 263 pounds of male DNA.
Authorities found the victim's DNA in the bear's stomach. (Blink TV)
The only bear DNA found on the scene matched the three bears killed by authorities.
Officials said all three bears have tested for rabies and all results are negative.
FWC law enforcement and bear managers stay in touch with their families and remained near the property Friday until Friday, with only one bear in the area.
Law enforcement and bear managers will remain throughout the weekend.
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“We want to thank our family for their collaboration while working during this challenging time, and our ideas still exist,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “I am proud of the professional response and support our employees to their families as they face an incredible event this week.”
Jerome is located in the South Bear Management unit, the unit is the third largest bear population in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015.
The man's dog was also killed in the black bear attack. (iStock)
The FWC said that the FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of the nearby valley wheel between May 5, 2024 and May 4, 2025, resulting in 5 live visits, 5 capture efforts, three bears were relocated and hazy bears, and a human-killed bear.
While wild black bears are rarely injured in Florida, people are constantly bitten by bears, and most often have cubs, food sources or dogs present.
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The FWC receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls each year and records 42 incidents, with wild black bears having physical contact with humans since the 1970s, when a comprehensive record begins to be kept.
Prior to these incidents, three of them suffered serious injuries and needed medical treatment.