Authorities in Florida are investigating a suspected bear attack that resulted in the deaths of 89-year-old Robert Markel and his dog. They were found at Markel’s home in Jerome, Collier County, after emergency responders were alerted around 7 a.m. The man and his dog were discovered in separate locations a few hundred yards apart. According to George Reynaud, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the incident is confirmed as a bear attack, though it remains unclear if it involved one bear or multiple bears.
Reynaud noted that the attack may have occurred at different times for Markel and his dog. Following the discovery, officers established a perimeter around the area and deployed drones to search for the involved bear or bears. Additionally, bear traps have been set up nearby. Investigators have collected DNA evidence from the scene, which is expected to assist in understanding the specifics of the attack.
Given the geographic context, it is likely that the bear involved is a Florida black bear, the only bear species native to the state, with an estimated population of around 4,050 according to the FWC. The situation remains a priority for wildlife officials, who are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and to prevent future occurrences.
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