Bear apparently shot in Apopka, investigation ends in dead end

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida. – According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a bear was found dead in Apopka earlier this month, apparently after suffering a gunshot wound.

In an incident report released Tuesday, FWC officials said they received a call on June 6 about an injured bear near Foxden Road.

Investigators said they arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. and found the bear’s carcass, but the cause of death was not immediately apparent.

The homeowner who called the FWC told them he had been walking his dog earlier in the night when he came across what he thought was a sleeping bear, according to the report. He then called 911 and was transferred to the FWC.

After autopsying the bear, investigators found that a bullet appeared to have penetrated its lung. However, no bullet was found at the scene, the report said.

The FWC said investigators interviewed several nearby neighbors, but none reported hearing gunshots at the time the bear was found.

“Each of them stated that the storm occurring at that time was the only sound they heard,” the report said.

Due to a lack of evidence, the investigation was later declared “closed.”

No further information was provided.

The headlines of the day in a few minutes with Your Florida daily newspaper: