An 89-year-old man has been killed in a fatal bear attack in Florida, USA. Authorities have announced the death of Robert Markel, who was killed along with his dog in the first fatal bear attack in Florida\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
The attack occurred at Markel\u2019s home near Jerome, a community near the larger city of Naples in Collier County. Officials reported that Markel\u2019s daughter rang emergency services after seeing a bear attack her father\u2019s dog. The authorities later found Markel\u2019s body, and reported that the dog and Markel were killed at different times on the property.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen there\u2019s a loss of life, we\u2019re all affected by this, we\u2019re very sorry that this occurred,\u201d Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Tyson Matthews said at a news conference, reports USA Today.<\/p>\n
Since the attack took place, the wildlife commission has installed traps in the area and installed cameras nearby. Three bears have also been killed and their DNA sent for testing at the University of Florida, to confirm which, if any, of these bears killed Markel. The wildlife commission expects that the bear species responsible was a black bear, though investigations are still ongoing.<\/p>\n
While this is the first fatal attack, a bear mauling occurred earlier this year in Florida.<\/p>\n
The wildlife commission reports that Florida is home to around 4,000 black bears, a number much improved from the several hundred that lived in the state in the 1970s. The Fish and Wildlife Commission even calls it one of the most successful conservation efforts in Florida. However, the commission is now considering whether population management methods such as regulated bear hunts should be reinstated to control numbers, as reported sightings of bears in neighbourhoods have increased.<\/p>\n
If you do come into contact with a bear, \u201cstand your ground,\u201d Mike Orlando, the bear management program coordinator for the commission, told The New York Times. \u201cMake yourself look large. Talk to the bear in a calm fashion. Do not run. Do not play dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if a bear is touching you,\u201d he said, \u201cyou need to fight back.”<\/p>\n