Man killed in suspected bear attack in Arkansas

October 6, 2025

A 60-year-old Missouri man was found dead at Sam's Throne campground in Arkansas' Ozark National Forest after what officials believe was a rare fatal bear attack. The victim's children alerted authorities after not hearing from their father for several days, and his body was discovered with injuries consistent with a large carnivore attack. Officials subsequently captured and killed a young male bear believed responsible for the attack, based on photos the victim had sent to his family showing a bear with matching characteristics at his campsite.

Who is affected

The 60-year-old Missouri man (victim whose name has not been released)
The victim's children/family
Visitors to Sam's Throne campground
Local community in Newton County, Arkansas
The bear population in the Ozark National Forest

What action is being taken

The campground remains temporarily closed
Officials are conducting a necropsy on the bear
DNA samples from the bear are being tested to match with the victim
Local hunters with hounds were deployed to track and catch the suspected bear
Authorities are investigating the attack

Why it matters

Fatal bear attacks are extremely rare in North America, with only 63 documented deaths from black bears between 1900-2009
Arkansas is home to over 5,000 black bears, making this an unusual incident for the state
The attack raises safety concerns for others who camp in the Ozark National Forest
The incident represents a significant public safety issue that prompted immediate action from local officials
The community was concerned until the suspected bear was captured

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC