The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed the first fatal black bear attack in Florida's history. The incident occurred in Jerome, Florida, involving 89-year-old Robert Markel. On May 5, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office alerted FWC about a possible fatal wildlife encounter after family members reported Markel missing and noticed disturbances that suggested bear activity around his residence.
FWC law enforcement and bear management staff responded to secure the area and ensure public safety. They discovered Markel's remains approximately 100 yards from his home. Evidence pointed to a physical encounter with a bear, including a dog killed by a bear near Markel's residence and signs of a bear entering the home.
In response to these findings, FWC personnel lethally removed three adult male bears weighing between 207 and 434 pounds from Monday evening into early Tuesday morning. An attempt to trap a fourth bear was unsuccessful, but DNA evidence was collected. The carcasses were sent to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing.
Preliminary results from the Collier County Medical Examiner indicated that Markel's death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear. Necropsy revealed partial remains of Markel inside one of the bears, weighing 263 pounds. DNA tests confirmed this bear's involvement in the attack on Markel, as well as its presence inside his residence and on the deceased dog.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto expressed gratitude towards Markel's family for their cooperation during this difficult time: "We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them.” He also commended FWC staff for their professional response.
Jerome is part of Florida's South Bear Management Unit, which had an estimated population of 1,044 bears in 2015. Between May 2024 and May 2025, FWC received multiple reports of bear-related incidents within a nearby area resulting in several interventions.
While wild black bears rarely injure people in Florida, there have been previous incidents where bears made physical contact with humans. The FWC averages about 6,300 bear-related calls annually since records began in the 1970s.
Guidelines for handling encounters with bears are available at MyFWC.com/Bear or BearWise.org. Individuals feeling threatened by bears or observing concerning behavior are encouraged to contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
The investigation will continue until all test results are reviewed thoroughly.