UPDATE 8:39 a.m.:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in an emailed statement Thursday morning that they are investigating the incident of a black bear found dead near a home on Casa de Oro Street in Navarre on Wednesday.

FWC law enforcement believes the large male bear was shot.

Investigators are continuing to gather details into this incident. If you anyone has information, please call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

ORIGINAL STORY

A black bear was found dead in a Navarre woman's backyard and she believes the bear was shot.

Elizabeth Garrett said she arrived home from near Casa De Oro Street in Navarre and found the dead bear in her backyard.

"I thought he was taking a nap, so I called Fish and Wildlife and he had been shot in the stomach," Garrett said.

The News Journal has reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, but did not receive an immediate response.

Garrett posted a video she took of the bear to Facebook to see if anyone in the neighborhood had heard any gunshots, in an attempt to provide information to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Killing a black bear in Florida without approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission carries a fine of $500 and up to 60 days in jail. Multiple offenses can result in a fine of $1,000 and up to a year in jail, according to the Fish and Wildlife Commission's website.

We will have more on this story as it develops.