emirates7 - An 89-year-old Florida man and his dog were killed in what authorities believe were separate bear attacks near the man’s home, according to state wildlife officials.
Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), stated on Tuesday that more than one bear may have been involved in the fatal incidents.
The attacks occurred near the intersection of State Road 29 and U.S. 41 in Jerome, just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, a protected conservation region.
In response, the FWC euthanized three bears in the vicinity and announced that DNA testing would be conducted to determine if any of the animals were responsible for the attacks.
The victim, identified as Robert Markel, was a longtime Jerome resident. Although the FWC initially reported his age as 88, they later confirmed he was 89.
According to FWC spokesperson George Reynaud, the two attacks happened at different times on Monday. A relative reportedly saw a bear kill Markel’s dog outside the house sometime after authorities believe Markel himself had already been attacked.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report shortly after 7 a.m. Monday regarding a "bear encounter." A deputy at the scene was informed by Markel’s granddaughter that a bear had attacked the dog in the front yard. When she went to check on her grandfather in his nearby trailer, he was missing and the trailer appeared ransacked.
Deputies later found Markel’s wallet, shirt, and pants about 20 yards into the woods. His body was discovered by FWC officers roughly 100 yards from the trailer.
Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), stated on Tuesday that more than one bear may have been involved in the fatal incidents.
The attacks occurred near the intersection of State Road 29 and U.S. 41 in Jerome, just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, a protected conservation region.
In response, the FWC euthanized three bears in the vicinity and announced that DNA testing would be conducted to determine if any of the animals were responsible for the attacks.
The victim, identified as Robert Markel, was a longtime Jerome resident. Although the FWC initially reported his age as 88, they later confirmed he was 89.
According to FWC spokesperson George Reynaud, the two attacks happened at different times on Monday. A relative reportedly saw a bear kill Markel’s dog outside the house sometime after authorities believe Markel himself had already been attacked.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report shortly after 7 a.m. Monday regarding a "bear encounter." A deputy at the scene was informed by Markel’s granddaughter that a bear had attacked the dog in the front yard. When she went to check on her grandfather in his nearby trailer, he was missing and the trailer appeared ransacked.
Deputies later found Markel’s wallet, shirt, and pants about 20 yards into the woods. His body was discovered by FWC officers roughly 100 yards from the trailer.