EASTPOINT — The bear that mauled a teenager who was walking her dog has been identified with the help of DNA testing.
Florida fish and wildlife officials say that genetic samples taken from 15-year-old Leah Reeder’s clothes matched samples taken from an adult female that was captured and euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Dec. 22.
FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker said six bears were captured. The four adults were euthanized and the two cubs were relocated and released.
“What we’re looking at is public safety,” Parker said. “That is paramount for us.”
The bear attacked Reeder in her small Franklin County community of Eastpoint on Dec. 20. She suffered lacerations to her head and face, as well as claw marks on her back and bite marks on her right arm and left leg.
The attack was the first on a human in Northwest Florida. In April, a Lake Mary woman was hospitalized after a 200-pound bear attacked her near her home in Central Florida. At least 7 bears were killed in response.
Confrontations with bears should be reported to the FWC at 850-265-3676. Threatening bear activity should be reported to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).