Florida officials confirmed the state’s first recorded fatal black bear attack after 89-year-old Robert Markel and his dog were killed near his home in Jerome. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the historic incident on Friday, citing DNA evidence that linked a 263-pound black bear to the deaths.
Family members reported Markel missing last weekend. Authorities later found his remains about 100 yards from his home alongside evidence of a violent encounter with a bear. Investigators also found signs that a bear had entered the home and recently killed Markel’s dog.
FWC law enforcement and bear management staff responded to the scene Monday, and overnight into Tuesday, killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds. A fourth bear evaded capture. DNA collected from the scene and the animals confirmed that only those three bears had been present, and one—the 263-pound male—had partial remains of Markel in its stomach. That bear’s DNA also appeared inside the home and on the dog’s body.
“This tragic incident marks the first known fatal bear attack in Florida’s history,” the FWC stated. The agency confirmed that all three euthanized bears tested negative for rabies.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto praised the response and coordination between law enforcement and wildlife personnel. “We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them,” he said. “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 holds the third-largest black bear population in the state. In the past year, the FWC received 16 bear-related reports within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland, resulting in multiple site visits, capture efforts, and one prior bear euthanization.
Florida has documented 42 physical bear-human encounters since the 1970s. Until now, none had been fatal. The FWC averages about 6,300 bear-related calls annually.
While rare, black bear attacks can escalate when food, cubs, or dogs are involved. The agency encourages residents to secure food sources and report unusual bear behavior.
