An 89-year-old Florida house owner and his pet canine are believed to have been mauled to loss of life by a bear on the person’s property Monday morning.
The physique of Robert Markel was discovered shortly after the sufferer’s daughter witnessed a bear killing the canine round 7 a.m. in a distant a part of Collier County close to Everglades Metropolis, in line with studies.
It’s unclear when Markel was initially attacked, however it may need been hours earlier than the 911 name was made, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee mentioned, in line with Fox 4.
DNA testing is underway to substantiate {that a} bear was truly behind the assaults, officers mentioned.
The sufferer lived alone with the pup main as much as the grisly loss of life.
“The bear involved may still be in the area as our officers continue to secure the perimeter,” FWC Officer George Reynaud mentioned Monday afternoon, in line with the station.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the area.”
Hours later, wildlife officers pulled a useless bear from close by woods round 9 p.m. after a sequence of loud pops had been heard two separate instances over a 45-minute interval, the Naples Day by day Information reported.
4 bear traps had been beforehand positioned across the space as of Monday night, with Reynaud stressing that “public safety is paramount.”
If DNA testing confirms a bear killed Markel, it might be Florida’s first recorded deadly bear assault because the FWC began maintaining monitor of that information, Fox 4 reported.
There are roughly 4,000 bears throughout the Sunshine State that dwell in forests and swamps from the Eglin Air Drive Base to Ocala Nationwide Forest, the fee mentioned.
Florida officers advise residents to not run away or climb up a tree if they arrive face-to-face with a bear, however to as a substitute slowly again away to security.
Residents are additionally urged to keep away from direct eye contact as a result of bears would possibly see that as aggressive habits.
But when a bear launches at an individual, they’re suggested to “fight back aggressively.”
“People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands!” the fee mentioned.
