Attacks involving wildlife and humans in Florida is going to get people on social media talking.

That's what happened yesterday (May 5) after the news broke of a possible bear mauling death of Robert Markel of Jerome, just south of Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area in Collier County.

Hundreds of comments were posted on the Naples Daily News Facebook page and Instagram page.

The attack happened just two days before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected to lay out plans for Florida's first black bear hunt since 2015, something that has already caused much debate among the public.

2025 bear hunt: Where do you stand?

Florida bear attack: What they are saying on social media

Here is just a small sampling of what people were saying on social media about the bear attack. Comments ranged from condolences for the man and his family to a steady volume of habits being compromised by growth and development in Florida.

Tracy Angle-Sindledecker said on Facebook: Tragic. Such incredibly strange timing with the entire state battling over black bear hunting. We need to hear the facts.

Randy Shutter said on Facebook: Didn't I just see an editorial where some lady was complaining about how bad bear hunting is. Well as a hunter and outdoorsman. We have two choices. 1 control the animal population by legal means or stop urban sprawl. It's really that easy.

Michelle Holden said on Facebook: A bear was being a bear living in his woods. Why hunt it down now and kill it?

On Instagram, Kundaflow said: Horrible ! And let’s bring into the conversation that a bears range is very large - all of their land is being pillaged and pummeled by the powers that be liberally giving the green light to developers. Soooo… stop building ! Enough is enough. Deep pockets shall not take precedence over this extraordinarily sensitive subtropical savannah we live in.

Susan Bullard said on Facebook: Can you please stop the development. It’s killing every aspect of natural beauty. Sell what’s already been built. Bears, panthers, etc have nowhere to go. We are the major invasive species.

Deb Petilli said on Facebook: Stop development everywhere they live!

Steve LaRussa said on Facebook: Everyone who says quit building needs to get out google maps and see where the hell Jerome Fla is!!! You cannot get more remote in Fla than Jerome! 3 houses that look like they been there for years , nothing else for miles....literally middle of everglades!!

Treasmike Patton said on Facebook: It's sad but we are destroying all of their habitats ... STOP BUILDING subdivisions!!!! We enjoy nature! You are destroying why folks love this part of FL!

Louisa Cappellino McGrath said on Facebook: Im sorry for the loss of life. The politicians are selling out Collier County to builders. Hence why these animals are loosing their habitats. Now this incident legitimizes bear hunting. It's a sad story.

Sandra Vick said on Facebook: Ya’ll. This happened in a very forested area, not overdeveloped. So it wasn’t overdevelopment that caused this attack. Tiny place called Jerome.

Annmarie Marra said on Facebook: I’m sorry for the man and dog that were killed. But you need to stop taking over there space. They have no where to go and looking for food to survive. Killing them is not the answer.

Chantelle Teichert Monroy said on Facebook: I’m sorry for the loss of this man and dog but I’ve seen many many bears in my property and have attacked my chicken coops many times but never thought of culling no bears.

Robert W Baker said on Facebook: Having worked bear management in Alaska, I would have numerous questions about how the area treats its bear enocounters. Do people use bear proof garbage, do people feed the bears thinking they need a hand out?

Sylvia Bocwinski said on Facebook: Horrible tragedy. My condolences to his family.