NAPLES, FL – In a shocking and rare event, a bear attack in Florida has claimed the lives of an elderly man and his dog, sending ripples of fear and concern through the community. The incident unfolded near the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, where Robert Markle, 89, was found dead after his daughter witnessed a bear mauling their pet. This tragic occurrence marks Florida’s first recorded fatal bear attack, a state where such wildlife encounters are uncommon.
Markle, a resilient figure having survived kidney cancer, was well-loved in his community. His sudden death has left family and friends in deep sorrow. The attack took place just a few hundred yards from his home, prompting immediate action from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which quickly set up bear traps in the area.
FWC officers successfully captured a bear near the attack site, although they are still conducting tests to confirm if it was the animal responsible. Such attacks are exceedingly rare; black bears are known to cause fewer than one human fatality per year across North America. Nevertheless, the incident has reignited discussions on bear management practices in the state.
This attack is part of a recent uptick in bear encounters in Florida, following a separate incident in Sanford where a woman cleverly used a bag of cookies to fend off a bear and secure her safety along with her dog’s. These events have added urgency to the FWC’s plans for managing the bear population.
In response, the FWC plans to hold a bear hunt in December, targeting a reduction of 187 bears from the roughly 4,000 inhabiting Florida. The proposal has faced criticism, with opponents warning of the potential impact on the state’s bear numbers, which some argue are already in decline. The last bear hunt in Florida, intended to span a month, was cut short after just two days due to unexpectedly high kill rates.
As the Naples community processes this loss and the state looks toward the upcoming hunt, the FWC has reiterated its dedication to ensuring public safety while balancing conservation efforts. With advanced surveillance and personnel in place, the commission remains alert to any further wildlife incidents.
The forthcoming draft of the bear hunt plan is anticipated to be released for public scrutiny, likely sparking further debate on this complex issue of wildlife management.