Question: Where was the first fatal bear attack in Florida?
Answer: Jerome
Florida authorities confirmed the first fatal bear attack in the state’s history in May 2025. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the discovery of the remains of an 89-year-old man who had gone missing near his home in Jerome, just east of Naples.
Evidence included signs of a struggle between the man and bear, a dog killed nearby, and signs that the bear had entered the man’s home. The authorities were unsure of the exact sequence of events. Prior to the attack, only three other reports had ever been made of bear-related incidents resulting in serious injuries requiring medical attention since comprehensive record-keeping began in the 1970s.
