Black bear kills 89-year-old man and his dog in Florida's first fatal bear attack

In Jerome, Florida, an 89-year-old man named Robert Markel and his dog were fatally attacked by a black bear, marking the state’s first documented fatal bear attack. This incident occurred early on a Monday morning, around May 5, 2025, prompting immediate action from wildlife officials. Family members reported Markel missing when they noticed signs of disturbances around his home that suggested the presence of bears in the area. Unfortunately, his remains and those of his dog were later found about 100 yards from his residence, indicating a violent encounter with a bear or bears. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) promptly responded to the situation, initiating a search that resulted in the shooting of three adult male bears in the vicinity. The lab tests conducted on the bears linked the DNA of one 263-pound male bear to the remains of Markel and his dog, indicating that it could be the culprit responsible for the attack. While officials did not definitively state that this bear was the one that killed Markel, preliminary autopsy findings suggested that his injuries were consistent with those of a bear attack. Despite bears being present in the region, fatal attacks on humans are exceedingly rare in Florida. Prior to this tragic event, there had been 42 recorded cases of wild black bears making physical contact with people since comprehensive records began in 1970, with the likelihood of serious injury being minimal. Following this incident, wildlife officers have maintained communication with Markel's family while conducting thorough investigations into the specifics of the attack. Authorities also noted that there had been an increasing number of bear-related interactions in the area, with 16 calls received regarding bears within a 10-mile radius around the time of the attack. The FWC emphasized their commitment to public safety and enacting measures for human-bear conflict management. While officials acknowledge that encounters with bears can lead to instances of injury or attack, they stressed that such occurrences are typically linked to interactions involving food sources or perceived threats, particularly when cubs are present. In light of the increased bear population in southwest Florida, the FWC is likely to re-evaluate its strategies for managing bear populations and ensuring the safety of residents.