A man and a dog were killed in southwest Florida on Monday in what the authorities said it seemed to be a strange deadly attack of a black bear.
The authorities received a call after 7 am about an apparent “fatal wildlife attack” in a rural and forested part not incorporated from Collier County, just north of the city of Everglades, Florida, said the Sheriff’s office of Collier County.
The Florida Fishing and Wildlife Commission said that the animal involved in the attack can still be in the area. The commission, which leads the investigation, said it continued to ensure a perimeter.
“As a precaution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the area,” said the commission.
The cause of death, and the identity and age of man and the circumstances surrounding the encounter were not released immediately.
Florida is home with more than 4,000 black bears, according to the commission.
The animals roam the forests and swamps from the Panhandle and the National Ocala Forest of the State in the middle section of the State, to Big Cypress National Preserve in the southwest of Florida, which was close to the attack occurred on Monday, the commission said.
Bear attacks against humans are rare. Sometimes, as they wore food in neighborhoods, bears will come into contact with residents.
“If bears cannot find food, they will continue,” said the commission.
The last documented case of physical contact between a person and a black bear in Florida was on February 15 at Silver Springs, Florida, according to the commission. Additional details about that meeting were not immediately available. Since 2006, the Commission has reported 42 of these meetings.
The commission said it is illegal to place the food or garbage intentionally outside that they can attract bears and lead to conflicts. He pointed out that anything that attracts dogs, cats or raccons will also attract bears.
Bears can run up to 35 miles per hour and climb 100 feet through a tree in 30 seconds. The commission recommended that people do not run or treque a tree if they meet a bear.
If one meets the animal at a short distance, the commission suggested that the person speaks with the bear in a quiet and assertive voice, slowly retreated a safe area and “Be sure to leave the bear a clear escape route. “
And if a bear attacks, the commission recommended “defending itself.”
“People have succeeded in black bears attacks using rocks, sticks or even their naked hands!” It was added.
