At least 1 dead in possible Florida bear attack

NAPLES, FL – One individual has been discovered lifeless in a potential bear assault, authorities stated.

Officers have been on the scene and investigating it as an “lively crime scene,” Arielle Callender, the general public info officer for the South Area workplace of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fee, stated on Might 5.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace obtained a name shortly after 7 a.m. in reference to a potential bear encounter close to a freeway in Jerome, a rural space east of Marco Island.

Deputies arrived about an hour later and located one deceased individual, the sheriff’s workplace stated. The officers are helping the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee with the investigation.

Potential mauling can be Florida’s second in 2025

In accordance with data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, if confirmed, the Might 5 assault in Collier County can be the second bear mauling in Florida this 12 months. Whereas state knowledge references black bear assaults, authorities haven’t confirmed the kind of bear concerned within the Might 5 assault.

In accordance with the info, since November 2020, there have been a minimum of 15 bear assaults in Florida involving the presence of canine. The final assault a canine was not current, in line with the data, was in March 2020.

It isn’t but confirmed if the newest investigation incudes canine.

The information states the final black bear assault in Collier County occurred Jan. 9, 2018. In that case, a black bear attacked a man in his North Naples yard. The person was taking his canine exterior when one in every of three bears struck his face, leaving an eight-inch scar and different marks.

Bear assaults are nonetheless uncommon nationwide, worldwide

Regardless of the current bear assaults in southwest Florida, bear assaults are comparatively uncommon. The prospect of being attacked by a bear is 1 in 2.1 million, in line with 2024 statistics compiled by the World Animal Foundation.

There are on common about 40 bear assaults worldwide, the animal basis reported and between two to a few deaths per 12 months. The U.S., there’s fewer than one loss of life per 12 months, in line with the North American Bear Center.

Most assaults by bears, black bears particularly, are normally defensive reactions if an individual is just too shut, a straightforward scenario to keep away from, the Bear Heart stated.

Florida wildlife officers considers return of bear hunt to cull inhabitants

Florida wildlife officers had three virtual public feedback conferences in April for a proposed return of a state bear hunt. The first goals of regulated looking are to steadiness species inhabitants numbers with appropriate habitat and to take care of a wholesome inhabitants, the company reported.

A draft of the proposal to be introduced to county commissioners is anticipated to be prepared for public overview by Wednesday, Might 7. The proposal signifies that 55 bears can be permitted for harvest from Lee, Collier and Hendry counties.

The last black bear hunt occurred in Florida a decade in the past, however the deliberate weeklong hunt was halted on the finish of the second day after nearly 300 bears were killed.

State officers estimate there are greater than 4,000 black bears in Florida.