LONGWOOD, Fla. — A central Florida man has been hospitalized after an apparent scuffle with a black bear.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that a Longwood man opened the door to his home Thursday evening when he was struck in the face and knocked to the ground.

The agency suspects the man was hit by a black bear.

Rescue crews transported the victim to a local hospital with lacerations to one eye and his nose.
FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker says the commission is concerned about the public's safety and will be setting up a trap to catch the bear. It will then be euthanized.

Parker says there's never been a documented bear attack on a human in Florida. The commission believes the animal was likely accustomed to eating nearby.