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89-Year-Old Man and Dog Killed in Bear Attack

5/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

An 89-year-old man, Robert Markel, tragically lost his life alongside his dog in a shocking black bear attack on May 5 in Collier County, Florida—the state's first fatal incident of its kind. In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission euthanized three bears, identifying one through DNA evidence as the attacker.

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Story summary

An 89-year-old man, Robert Markel, tragically lost his life alongside his dog in a shocking black bear attack on May 5 in Collier County, Florida—the state's first fatal incident of its kind. In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission euthanized three bears, identifying one through DNA evidence as the attacker.