A 60-year-old Missouri man was found dead from severe injuries suffered in a bear attack two days after sending his family photos of a bear from his Arkansas campsite.
A Newton County deputy found the man’s truck and campsite Thursday at Sam’s Throne Campground near Mt. Judea, Arkansas, after his son said the man had not been heard from in days and requested a welfare check, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
“The campsite had been disturbed and there was evidence of a struggle and injury,” the statement said. “There were also drag marks leading from the campground into the woods. The man was not in his camp.”
The man’s body was discovered several yards outside the campsite with “extensive injuries of those expected from a large carnivore attack,” the release said.
Wheeler urged people in the area to be vigilant and use caution.
“History tells us that once a bear becomes predatory, it often continues those behaviors,” Wheeler said.
In a statement Sunday, Wheeler said that "a bear has been killed that is believed to be responsible for the fatal attack on a Springfield, Missouri man."
The U.S. Forest Service confirmed Monday that the man's death was caused from a bear attack.
"Sam’s Throne Campground and the surrounding area continue to be closed as there are still traps and other equipment in the area," Wheeler said in Sunday's statement "It will remain closed pending DNA results to be certain the threat is gone."
This incident marks Arkansas’ second fatal bear attack in a month, according to the Arkansas Times.
