A 60-year-old man was found dead this week at an Arkansas campground in what officials believe was a rare fatal bear attack, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said the man’s death has been officially ruled an “animal mauling” by the Arkansas State Crime Lab, with the manner of death deemed accidental. While investigators strongly suspect a bear was responsible, DNA testing is being conducted to confirm the species.
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“This confirms our suspicions, and I appreciate the quick work of the Medical Examiner in getting us and the family preliminary answers,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I also understand their desire to confirm the species of animal via DNA just to cover all our bases.”
Deputies were called to Sam’s Throne Campground, near the town of Mt. Judea, on Oct. 2 after a man reported concern for his father, who had not checked in for several days. When a deputy arrived, he found the man’s truck and campsite, which appeared to have been disturbed, showing signs of a struggle and drag marks leading into the woods.
The victim, a 60-year-old camper from Missouri, was later found dead several yards from his campsite with “extensive injuries consistent with those expected from a large carnivore attack,” according to authorities.
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Investigators also learned the man had sent photos of a bear in his camp earlier that week.
Officials believe the animal responsible is a juvenile male bear that may have recently been separated from its mother.
“There is a lot of speculation circulating about the bear and I can say that the one believed to have attacked the man was not a large bear,” Wheeler explained in a statement. “We believe it to be a juvenile male that was likely weaned and kicked off its mother this year.”
Search efforts remain underway for the bear, with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and local agencies assisting. Sam’s Throne Campground and surrounding areas remain closed until further notice.
Wheeler said if bears are encountered during the search, officials will be able to rule out most of them based on photographs, approximate size, and identifying markings of the suspected animal.
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Authorities are urging residents and campers in the area to remain vigilant and follow bear safety practices, including storing food away from sleeping areas and avoiding contact with bears of any size.
“This is a highly unusual case,” Wheeler said. “We are very early in the investigation and search and will update as we can.”
“If you are in the area, just be aware and use caution, especially with children,” he added. “History tells us that once a bear becomes predatory, it often continues those behaviors.”
The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family.
