DNA confirms right bear

Published 12:31 am Saturday, January 3, 2015

DNA test results have identified the bear that bit a 15-year-old on Dec. 21 in an Eastpoint neighborhood, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Friday.

The victim was out walking her dog on Saturday night when an adult bear attacked and seriously injured her.

Genetic samples taken from the victim’s clothing matched genetic samples taken from an adult female that was captured and euthanized by the FWC on Dec. 22. The FWC euthanized two adult bears after the attack, and trapped two cubs that were later released in the Osceola area. The FWC told a Florida newspaper that it would continue removing and euthanizing adult bears in the area until a DNA match was found.

For more information on bears and living in bear country, please go to MyFWC.com/Bear.