COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials have shot and killed three black bears overnight in the vicinity of a suspected fatal bear attack on an 89-year-old man, Robert Markel, in a remote area of Collier County.
The agency confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the three bears were located and killed within the perimeter wildlife officials were searching following the discovery of Markel’s body on Monday morning.
“DNA samples from the scene and the three bears have been sent to Gainesville for testing and we are awaiting the results of the DNA testing now,” said Roger Young, FWC’s Executive Director. He added that FWC expects the DNA results within 24 hours.
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Wildlife officials stated they will continue to search for and kill black bears in the area until DNA testing definitively identifies which bear or bears were responsible for the deadly incident. According to FWC policy, they aim to trap and remove all bears involved. Officials currently believe more than one bear may have been involved in the attack.
Markel was found dead Monday morning on his property in the Jerome community off State Road 29 after his daughter reported witnessing a bear attack and kill his dog. Investigators later found Markel’s body nearby. FWC suspects the fatal attack may have occurred hours before the 911 call was made around 7 a.m. Monday.
In Tuesday’s news conference, FWC officials detailed their overnight efforts, which included securing the perimeter, setting out traps, and deploying cameras. They hope to find hair samples at the scene to match against the DNA of the killed bears.
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FWC is currently classifying the incident as a wildlife attack pending further information and DNA confirmation. “Until we can definitively say which bears were involved, we’re going to continue these efforts until we can make that decision,” Young stated.
FWC also noted that the agency has not received calls about bear activity in this specific area since 2018.
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