Mon May 05 22:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Possible Bear Attack Leaves One Dead in Collier County, Florida

**NAPLES, FL –** A person was found dead near a highway in Jerome, Florida, on May 5th, in what authorities are investigating as a possible bear attack. Collier County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call around 7 a.m. and discovered the deceased individual. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is assisting in the investigation, which is currently treating the scene as an active crime scene.

If confirmed, this would be the second bear mauling in Florida this year. While FWC data tracks black bear attacks, the species involved in this incident has yet to be determined. The agency’s records show at least 15 bear attacks in Florida since November 2020 involving dogs; the last attack not involving a dog occurred in March 2020. It remains unclear if dogs were present in the latest incident. The last reported black bear attack in Collier County was in January 2018.

While the recent incidents may raise concerns, bear attacks remain statistically rare. According to the World Animal Foundation, the chance of a bear attack is 1 in 2.1 million. Globally, there are an average of 40 bear attacks and two to three deaths annually, with fewer than one death per year in the U.S. Most attacks are defensive reactions to close proximity with humans.

This incident comes amid ongoing public discussions regarding a proposed bear hunt in Florida. FWC held public meetings in April to gather feedback on a plan to allow the harvest of 55 bears from Lee, Collier, and Hendry counties. A draft proposal is expected by May 7th. A previous bear hunt in Florida a decade ago was halted early after nearly 300 bears were killed. State officials estimate Florida’s black bear population at over 4,000.

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