Jerome, Fla., resident Robert Markel was found dead 100 yards away from his home, and DNA was found on his body from a 263-pound male black bear Officials have only documented 42 incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people in Florida since the 1970s An 89-year-old man and his dog have died in a black bear attack in southwest Florida — the first of its kind confirmed fatal attack in the state's history.

Wildlife officials have confirmed that an 89-year-old man was the victim of the first fatal Florida black bear attack in the state’s history, after his partial remains were found in a bear. Robert Markel and his dog were attacked and killed Monday in Jerome,