Bears can be dangerous. While most will avoid humans, some, especially black bears in developed areas, are losing their fear of humans. And to a bear, anything that isn't a threat is potentially food. A bear may attack for a number of reasons; it may be guarding cubs, it may be guarding a carcass it has claimed, or it may just be ornery. But black bears are more likely than other bears to attack with predatory intent.

It's unclear if predation was the reason for the attack, but in a piece of sad news from Florida, we learn that an elderly man and his dog have become the victims of that state's first documented lethal bear attack.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history.

Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and "signs of recent disturbances" that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property. 

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear management staff immediately responded to secure the area.

While this is sad, and while the FWC isn't speculating on the reason for the attack, there is evidence that the bear - and be advised, this may be disturbing - fed on Mr. Markel's body after killing him. Three bears were trapped and killed in the area, and a necropsy and DNA testing were carried out.

Necropsy results revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel.

DNA results received on Friday positively identified that the 263-pound male’s DNA was present on Markel, inside his home and on the dog’s body.

Bears are opportunistic feeders, so we can't be sure that predation was the reason for the attack; the attack may have been for other reasons, with the feeding coming afterwards. Why is this a concern? Knowing if the bear attacked initially with predatory intent, first, allows other people in the area to take precautions - bear spray or a firearm - and second, it informs the FWC on what bear control steps may be taken, and how regulations around hunting bears in Florida may have to be changed.

See Also: Japan: Pair of Bears Attack Karate Expert

California Woman Killed by Black Bear in State's First Documented Fatal Attack

Between 1900 and 2009, according to a 2011 study, 63 people were killed in 59 incidents by "non-captive" black bears in North America. Fatal attacks were mostly carried out by young male bears, with predation being a possible motivation.

We judged that the bear involved acted as a predator in 88% (49 of 56) of fatal incidents. Adult (n = 23) or subadult (n = 10) male bears were involved in 92% (33 of 36) of fatal predatory incidents, reflecting biological and behavioral differences between male and female bears. That most fatal black bear attacks were predatory and were carried out by 1 bear shows that females with young are not the most dangerous black bears.

That's a disturbing bit of information. 

Our hearts go out, of course, to the family of Robert Markel. The best outcome we can hope for now is that this terrible incident will inform us how to better deal with bears, especially the young males who are most likely to attack with predatory intent.

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