THE body of a camper has been found with extensive wounds linked to an animal attack just two days after he sent photos of a bear to his family.
Concerns were raised by the unidentified man’s son after his father went radio silent while camping at Sam’s Throne Campground in Arkansas.
The Sam’s Throne Campground, Arkansas, has been closed after the body of a camper was found with extensive wounds likely from a bear attack[/caption]
The 60-year-old man from Missouri had sent his family pictures of a bear near his campsite before going radio silent (stock)[/caption]
The 60-year-old man from Missouri was found several yards from the campsite on October 2 after his son requested a welfare check as he had not heard from him “for a couple of days”.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that he had been dragged from the campsite which has been “disturbed” and where officers found “evidence of a struggle and injury”.
“There were also drag marks leading from the campground into the woods,” the release added.
While officials await autopsy results to confirm the cause of death, they said his body had “extensive injuries consistent with those expected from a large carnivore attack”.
This is in line with pictures he sent his family just days before his body was found showing a “young male bear” near his campsite on September 30.
“Until the Arkansas Crime Lab completes the autopsy, we can’t 100% say it was a bear, but everything strongly indicates it,” Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said.
“We are attempting to find the bear and dispose of it so the Game and Fish Commission can test it for anything that may have led to the encounter.
“We know without a doubt that a bear was in camp with our victim and the injuries absolutely are consistent with a bear attack.
“This is a highly unusual case. 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.”
As the hunt for the bear continues, the Sam’s Throne Campground has been shutdown to the public.
The camper’s death, if confirmed to be caused by a bear, will be the state’s second fatal bear attack in one month, which is highly unusual.
On September 3, Vernon Patton, 72, was attacked by a 70-pound bear while spreading gravel on a road in the Mulberry Mountain area.
His son who watched the horrific mauling unfold later confirmed that his father died from his injuries on September 14.
Having two deadly bear attacks in such a short space of time in the same state is highly unusual.
Keith Stephens, the chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission called it “bizarre” while speaking to The Arkansas Times.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words, to tell you the truth. These things just don’t happen,” he said.
“It just seems so bizarre. It’s not even in my realm of comprehension. I’m really in shock today.”
Sheriff Wheeler has urged extreme caution and has reiterated the rarity of such attacks.
“I don’t want this to become open season on any bear that someone may see, as most bears fear humans and run away,” he said.
“But, at the same time, don’t put yourself or others in jeopardy.”
Officials are still on the hunt for the bear as they await confirmation of the man’s cause of death[/caption]
