Authorities in Florida have announced the state’s first known fatal bear attack.
One or more bears killed Robert Markel, an 89-year-old man, along with his dog, in Collier County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as reported by USA Today. The attack comes as the FWC considers restarting “highly regulated bear hunting” for the first time since 2015 in response to a growing bear population.
On the morning of Monday May 5, Markel’s daughter called 911 after she saw a bear attack and kill her father’s dog, according to authorities, as reported by USA Today. When officials arrived at the scene, they also found Markel’s body. Both Markel and his dog died on Markel’s property, but at different times.
“When there’s a loss of life, we’re all affected by this, we’re very sorry that this occurred,” commission spokesperson Tyson Matthews said at a news conference, according to USA Today. Within 24 hours of Markel’s death, wildlife officers set up cameras and traps at the site of the attack, which led to the killing of three black bears. The remains of these bears are now in Gainesville, Florida, for DNA testing to confirm if any or all of the three animals were involved in the fatal attack, according to the New York Times.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to continue to remain vigilant and avoid the area,” the FWC said in a statement cited by USA Today. “Do not approach or attempt to track wildlife. Law enforcement and FWC personnel are continuing to monitor bear activity and ensure public safety.” Monday’s attack is the second bear mauling reported in Florida this year, according to Naples Daily News.
In the 1970s, Florida was home to just several hundred black bears. Today that population has rebounded to over 4,000 in what the FWC calls one of Florida’s most successful conservation efforts. As a result of this population increase, Florida residents have reported sightings of black bears in neighborhoods and private properties more frequently, according to the Associated Press.
After the FWC’s Bear Management Program presented updates on the implementation of Florida’s 2019 Black Bear Management Plan back in December, the commission is now considering reinstating regulated bear hunts.
According to the plan, the objective of regulated bear hunts is “to balance species population numbers with suitable habitat and to maintain healthy animals.” By controlling the number of bears in an area, bear hunts can also decrease problematic and/or dangerous encounters with humans.
If you do come into contact with a bear, “stand your ground,” said Mike Orlando, the bear management program coordinator for the FWC, as reported by The New York Times. “Make yourself look large. Talk to the bear in a calm fashion. Do not run. Do not play dead.”
If physical contact occurs, “you need to fight back.”
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