Robert Markel Obituary, Death; Man, 89, Confirmed as First Victim of Fatal Black Bear Attack in Florida History After Remains Found Inside Animal

Robert Markel Obituary, Death; – An 89-year-old man and his dog tragically lost their lives in a black bear attack in southwest Florida, marking the first confirmed fatal incident of its kind in the state’s history.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), authorities responded to a call at the residence of Robert Markel in Jerome, Florida, a rural area approximately 40 miles southeast of Naples, shortly after 7 a.m. on Monday, May 5. Upon arrival, they found his body approximately 100 yards from his home.

The FWC reported that Markel’s family had reported him missing and noted signs of recent disturbances on the property that could indicate bear activity. Investigators from the FWC discovered evidence of a physical confrontation between a bear and a person near the residence, a dog that had been killed by a bear in close proximity to Markel, and indications that a bear had entered the home.

The FWC confirmed that this incident represents the first fatal black bear attack recorded in Florida, although there have been previous instances of humans being scratched or bitten by bears in the state. The organization stated that the circumstances surrounding the attack warranted the euthanization of three bears residing in the nearby South Bear Management Unit, along with the collection of their DNA. These bears included three adult males weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds. Efforts to trap a fourth bear were unsuccessful. The carcasses of the three bears were promptly sent to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, alongside DNA samples collected from the scene.

The FWC indicated that while the precise sequence of events remains unclear, DNA testing revealed on Friday that partial remains of Markel were found in the body of the 263-pound male bear. Additionally, DNA analysis confirmed the presence of the 263-pound male’s DNA on Markel, within his home, and on his dog’s body, with all three bears testing negative for rabies. Law enforcement and bear management officials continue to investigate the incident.

The press release states that the FWC has only documented 42 incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people since the 1970s. Only three of those incidents resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention, excluding the fatal attack this week.

According to the organization’s website, anyone living near bears should never feed the animals, keep garbage, food and livestock secure, and be aware of their surrounding while walking dogs.

“Please contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead, or orphaned bear; or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them,” the press release said. The FWC added that the investigation into the fatal attack is still ongoing and will remain open until testing is complete.