Authorities confirm 89-year-old man was killed by black bear in historic first fatal attack in Florida

Florida – In a tragic and unprecedented event, Florida has recorded its first fatal black bear attack, resulting in the deaths of an 89-year-old man and his dog in the rural community of Jerome, Collier County. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed the incident, which occurred on the morning of May 5, 2025.

The victim, Robert Markel, was reported missing by his family after his daughter witnessed a bear attacking their dog near his residence. Authorities later discovered Markel’s remains approximately 100 yards from his home. Evidence at the scene indicated a physical encounter between a bear and a person near the residence, a dog recently killed by a bear in close proximity to a person, and signs that a bear had entered the residence itself. The exact sequence of events remains unclear.

Read also: Slow Burn Theatre Company brings the highly anticipated West End hit “The Bodyguard The Musical” to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this summer

In response to the incident, FWC law enforcement and bear management staff secured the area and implemented protocols to lethally remove any bears suspected of being involved. From Monday evening into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel lethally removed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds. There was an unsuccessful attempt to trap a fourth bear; however, DNA evidence was collected. The three carcasses were immediately transported to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene.

The Collier County Medical Examiner indicated that the preliminary cause of death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear. Necropsy results revealed that one bear, a 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel. DNA results received on 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 only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears lethally taken. All three bears were tested for rabies, and all results were negative.

FWC law enforcement and bear management staff maintained a presence near the property from Monday through Friday, May 9. During that time, they observed only one additional bear in the area, which briefly appeared late Thursday night and then left 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 located in the South Bear Management Unit, which has the third-largest population of bears in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015. Demographic analysis indicates this population has a positive annual growth rate. 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.

Read also: Eight high-achieving seniors from Broward County Public Schools receive full scholarships through the national QuestBridge program

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 this incident.

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 to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them.

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