A Florida man was found dead in the woods near Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area in Collier County on Monday, May 5, apparently mauled by a bear. Wildlife officials were called to the scene after a report of seeing a bear kill the man's dog.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded and searched the woods, where loud pops could be heard before officials hauled out a dead bear.

Bear attack: Florida bear killed after mauling death of man, dog in Collier County. What we know, May 6.

Was the Collier County attack the first time a bear has killed a human in Florida?

Tyson Matthews, public information officer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said that if the ongoing investigation confirms that the victim’s cause of death was mauling by the suspected bear, it would be the first ever death by bear attack in Florida.

What happened in the Collier County bear attack?

The FWC's Jorge Renaud said they were called to the area after his daughter reported seeing a bear killing a dog about 7 a.m. Monday, May 5, in the 22700 block of State Road 29 in Jerome, a rural area between Naples and Everglades City..

Responders found the body of Robert Markel "a couple hundred yards away."

How many bear attacks have there been in Florida?

According to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , the May 5 black bear attack in Collier County is the second bear mauling statewide this year. A female black bear attacked a person on Feb. 15 in the Marion County community of Silver Springs. A dog was also involved in that incident.

According to the data, there have been 42 bear encounters involving physical contact with a person in Florida since 2006. There have been no encounters when a dog was not present since March 2020.

The most encounters, eight, happened in 2022. There were two in 2024.

Are Florida black bears aggressive?

Bears are typically quiet and shy animals, and attacks are very rare, the FWC said, but they are wild animals and could seriously harm or kill people if they feel threatened or they are protecting their young.

If a bear feels threatened, they may clack their teeth together , moan, blow, huff, or stomp the ground and may even pretend to charge you for a short distance to get you to back off. "Truly predatory or aggressive black bears are rare and generally silent," the FWC said.

What do I do if a bear attacks me?

Fight back, the FWC says, and fight back hard.

"People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands!" the FWC said.

Can I shoot bears in Florida?

It is legal to shoot a bear in Florida , but only if you believe it was necessary to avoid imminent death or serious bodily injury to their self, another person or a pet, under the Self-Defense Act of 2024.

However, if you lured the bear with food or other attractants for an illegal purpose, such as training dogs to hunt bears, or if you intentionally or recklessly put yourself or a pet in a situation where lethal force would be necessary, you can face administrative, civil or criminal penalties.

Can you hunt bears in Florida?

It is illegal to hunt bears in Florida. However, the FWC is considering a controlled, limited-time bear hunt this year to help control the population, similar to one held in 2015.

If approved, the FWC would issue a total of 187 permits, with each one allowing a hunter to kill one bear during three weeks in December.

How many bears are in Florida?

The FWC estimates there are more than 4,000 black bears in the state. They are found in almost half of Florida .

The FWC reported at its December 2024 commission meeting that bear populations across the state have grown to five times above the minimum population objectives to maintain a healthy population.

How can I avoid bear encounters?

Aside from living in the woods, bears are attracted to areas where they can find unsecured garbage containers. It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract them.