Florida Fish and Wildlife is investigating after a man and a dog died in a suspected black bear attack on May 5, 2025, just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area in Collier County.

At 7:07 a.m., the Collier County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a potential bear mauling on State Road 29, between Naples and Everglades City.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies found one person and a dog had been fatally mauled.

The black bear could still be in the area, FWC officials warned. The agency urged residents to be vigilant and avoid the area.

The victim has not been identified. FWC officials said the man was elderly and the attack happened on his property.

FWC is investigating with assistance from the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

The last documented black bear attack in Collier County happened Jan. 9, 2018, when a black bear attacked a man in his North Naples yard.

The man was letting his dog outside when it growled and ran back inside. When the man stepped outside to see what scared the dog, one of three bears a few feet from his back door gashed his face with its massive paw. The wound left an eight-inch scar and other marks.

Who died in the bear attack in Collier County, Florida?

An elderly man and dog were fatally mauled by a black bear just south of Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area on May 5, 2025.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office received a call at 7:07 a.m. reporting the bear attack at 22777 State Road 29 in Jerome, Florida.

The incident happened on the man's property, according to FWC.

He has not yet been identified.

Where did bear attack happen in Collier County, Florida?

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 7:07 a.m. on May 5 in reference to a bear encounter at 22777 State Road 29.

The bear attack happened just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area in Jerome, Florida.

Jerome is in Collier County, about 42 miles southeast of Naples.

Documented bear attacks in Florida

What to do if you encounter a bear in Florida?

If you see a bear from a distance:

If you encounter a bear at close range:

Do not :

If a black bear attacks you:

Can you shoot, kill a bear in Florida?

Can you hunt black bears in Florida?

Florida is considering the return of a bear hunt to cull the population.

FWC had three virtual public feedback meetings in April for the proposed return of the bear hunt.

The draft of the proposal that will be presented to commissioners is expected to be ready for public review by Wednesday, May 7.

Types of bears in Florida? How many black bears in Florida?

Black bears are the only species of bear found in Florida, according to FWC.

FWC biologists say there are about 4,050 black bears in Florida.

Adult male black bears weigh between 250 to 350 pounds. The biggest adult male black bear in Florida weighed 760 pounds. Adult female black bears are smaller than males, usually weighing between 130 and 180 pounds. The largest adult female black bear in Florida weighed 460 lbs.