A man and his dog were found dead early Monday morning in what wildlife officials are investigating as a suspected bear attack in rural Collier County, Florida. The incident occurred near the intersection of State Road 29 and U.S. 41, just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) .
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly after 7 a.m. reporting a “bear encounter” in the area. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of an elderly man and his dog on the property. The identity of the man has not been released pending notification of next of kin .
FWC officials are actively investigating the incident as a suspected fatal wildlife attack involving a bear. DNA samples have been collected from the scene to confirm the species involved. Preliminary assessments suggest the animal may be a Florida black bear, the only bear species native to the state .
Law enforcement and FWC personnel are conducting an extensive search for the bear, which is believed to still be in the vicinity. Drones are being utilized to aid in the search efforts. Authorities have established a perimeter around the area and are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the region. “Out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant, and avoid the area,” the FWC stated .
If confirmed, this would be the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in Florida’s history. While black bear populations have rebounded in recent decades, interactions with humans remain rare. However, as bear habitats increasingly overlap with human developments, sightings and encounters have become more frequent, particularly in rural areas .
The incident has raised concerns among local residents and wildlife officials about the potential for increased human-wildlife conflicts. The incident marks the second black bear attack in Florida this year. According to the FWC, a female black bear attacked a person on Feb. 15 in the Marion County community of Silver Springs.
Florida is home to more than 4000 black bears, but attacks on humans are relatively rare. Since 2006, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has documented 42 incidents of physical contact between people and black bears in Florida. Many of these incidents involve dogs. It’s important to note that while these incidents represent encounters, not all are necessarily attacks in the sense of a predatory assault.
According to the Florida Wildlife Federation, Florida black bears are typically shy and avoid humans, but they may become more visible if food is left unsecured. While not usually aggressive, they are strong and can react defensively if provoked, especially when protecting cubs or food.
The FWC advises the public to take precautions to minimize attractants that may draw bears into residential areas, such as securing garbage, removing pet food from outdoor areas, and avoiding the feeding of wildlife.
Residents are encouraged to report bear sightings or encounters to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
The FWC continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and is working to locate and safely remove the bear from the area. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
