Florida Wildlife Officials Report Suspected Bear Attack Leaves One Dead

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are looking into a presumed deadly wildlife incident involving a bear in the vicinity of Jerome, Collier County.

The event took place on Monday close to the crossroads of State Road 29 and U.S. 41, which is located just to the south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, according to a statement from the FWC.

Initial findings suggest that the attack led to the fatalities of a man and his dog. The FWC is taking steps to secure the area and proactively searching for the bear to maintain public safety.

Floridians are reminded that wildlife can be unpredictable, and caution is advised when in areas where interactions with animals may occur.

The FWC will provide updates as more information becomes available.

During the spring, FWC says black bears are more active in Florida. You can read more information below:

To reduce human-bear conflicts, the FWC’s Bear Management Program recommends removing or securing all food attractants from around your house and yard, including garbage, pet food and bird seed. If a bear is not able to find food, it will move on.

Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people. Dogs can trigger defensive behaviors from bears, including female bears with cubs. To avoid an encounter between a bear and your dog, bang on your door and flip your house lights on and off to give the bear and other wildlife time to leave the area before letting your dog out.

If you do not have a fenced yard, keep your dog on a short non-retractable leash when taking them outside. If your dog and a bear get into a fight, make noise and use bear spray or a water hose to break them up if available. If the bear makes contact with you, fight back aggressively.

To learn more about bears and how to avoid conflicts with them, visit this FWC page, or click here for the BearWife program.

Please contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead or orphaned bear; or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them.

Here are some other BearWise® Basics to keep in mind:

• Never feed or approach bears

• Remove bird feeders when bears are active

• Feed your pets inside if possible and never leave pet food outdoors

• Clean and store your grills and smokers

• Secure food, garbage and recycling

• Alert your neighbors to bear activity in the area

Live in bear country? Follow this at-home checklist. And remember, a screened-in porch or deck counts as “outside” to a hungry black bear.