Overview

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the state's first fatal black bear attack, involving the death of Robert Markel and his dog on May 5.
• DNA evidence linked a 263-pound male black bear to the attack, with the bear's DNA found on Markel, inside his home, and on the dog's body.
• Three black bears were euthanized during the search for the responsible bear, and necropsies confirmed the involvement of one bear while ruling out rabies in all three.
• Investigators found evidence of a bear entering Markel's home and a physical encounter near his trailer, though the exact sequence of events remains unclear.
• Florida's recovering black bear population, now exceeding 4,000, has led to increased human-bear interactions, with officials urging residents to take precautions.