Overview

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed the state's first fatal black bear attack after DNA linked a bear to the deaths of Robert Markel and his dog.
• The 263-pound male bear, one of three euthanized during the investigation, was found to contain partial remains of the victim and tested negative for rabies.
• Markel, 89, was discovered 100 yards from his home, which showed evidence of a bear breaking in, while his dog was killed nearby.
• Wildlife officials have documented increased human-bear interactions in Florida, with over 6,300 bear-related calls annually, but fatal attacks remain extremely rare.
• Authorities continue to investigate the exact sequence of events, while wildlife teams monitor the area to mitigate further risks.