AN 89-year-old man and his beloved dog were mauled to death in a horrifying black bear attack in southwest Florida that led lab workers to a grisly discovery.
The gruesome scene unfolded early Monday morning when Robert Markel and his pet were killed near his camper home in the remote town of Jerome.
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What wildlife officers later found in the lab made the tragedy even more chilling.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials said partial remains of Mr Markel were found inside a 263-pound male black bear – one of three bears euthanized after the attack.
It is now the first confirmed fatal bear attack in the state’s history, officials say.
The eerie discovery was confirmed by necropsy results released Friday.
DNA testing showed the same bear’s genetic material was found on Mr Markel’s body, inside his home, and on his dog’s corpse.
Officials stopped short of confirming the bear killed the elderly man, but a preliminary autopsy then revealed his injuries were “consistent with a bear attack.”
Mr Markel’s heartbroken grandson made the harrowing 911 call after stumbling upon the carnage.
He told the dispatcher: “I’m putting my clothes on, getting my gun, and going to look for a bear.
“The bear just got the dog, the dog’s dead.
“We went in to check on him in the camper, he’s gone, the camper’s tore all apart.”
When asked if his grandfather may have run from the beast, he replied: “He’s 89, he can’t run. He can’t even walk without falling over.”
Mr Markel and his dog were discovered 182 meters (200 yards) apart, with signs that the bear had broken into the camper while the grandson was sleeping nearby.
FWC officers set traps and cameras around the property and killed three adult male bears weighing 93, 119, and 196kg.
They were sent to a Gainesville lab for necropsies and rabies testing, which none of them tested positive for.
Officials also tried to capture a fourth bear but were unsuccessful.
In a statement, FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said: “We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them.
“I am proud of our staff’s professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week.”
The horror attack marks a somber first in Florida history.
While black bears – the only bear species found in the state – have previously scratched or bitten people, no fatal encounters have ever been recorded until now.
Since the 1970s, just 42 physical bear-human contacts have been documented, with only three causing serious injury.
Wildlife experts say the attack is highly unusual.
Florida is home to roughly 4,050 black bears, and sightings have become more common as the animals wander into rural neighbourhoods, particularly in north and central Florida.
FWC urged residents living near bear habitats to keep garbage, food, and pets secure, and to report any threatening bear behavior.
The investigation remains open as officials work to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal mauling.