Florida wildlife officials have killed three black bears in rural Collier County and are testing DNA samples to determine if any of the animals were responsible for the fatal attack on an 89-year-old man and his dog, authorities said Tuesday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the attack occurred early Monday near the victim’s home in Jerome, a community just south of Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. The man, identified as Robert Markel, and his dog both died from their injuries.
Following the attack, wildlife officers secured the area, set up traps and cameras, and began searching for the bear involved, according to the FWC. Three black bears were killed in the area Monday night, and DNA samples from the bears and the scene have been sent to a laboratory in Gainesville for testing.
“The bear involved [in the attack] may still be in the area as our officers continue to secure the perimeter. Out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the area,” said George Reynaud, a spokesperson for the FWC, during a Tuesday press conference.
A spokesperson for the FWC and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately return a request for further comment from NTD News.
Florida’s black bear population, once considered threatened, has been increasing, leading to more frequent sightings in neighborhoods and on private property, especially in rural areas of the state.
Officials say encounters have become more common in recent years as bears search for food beyond their natural habitats.
“In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff are working on capturing and relocating the bear,” the FWC said in a statement at the time.