Officials Admit They Killed the Wrong Bear – One Not Involved in Fatal Mauling

Newton County, Arkansas – Arkansas wildlife officials have admitted that the wrong black bear was killed after a fatal human attack that happened in at Sam’s Throne Campground on October 2. According to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, DNA results on the slain bear revealed no match to the bear who killed Max Thomas, a 60-year-old man from Missouri.

In a release, the agency said:

No Match: DNA samples collected from the victim of the fatal mauling at Sam’s Throne Campground in Ozark National Forest do not match the DNA profile of the male black bear killed in the immediate area.

The mistakenly killed bear was euthanized three days after the fatal attack. Experts made the lethal decision because of the bear’s proximity and what were believed to be matching physical characteristics to the bear involved in the mauling.

AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock said:

“While we are disappointed that the initial search did not neutralize the threat, our commitment to public safety remains paramount. We acted decisively based on the best evidence available at the time, and now that we have definitive forensic data, we are adjusting our strategy. Our teams will continue to work tirelessly to find the bear.”

The release adds:

The AGFC continues to urge all citizens and visitors in the Ozark National Forest area to remain bear aware:

• Store all food, garbage and scented items in bear-resistant containers or secured inside a hard-sided vehicle. Never leave food unattended.
• Immediately report any aggressive or unafraid bear behavior to the AGFC radio room at 833-356-0824.
• Please respect the current closures of Sam’s Throne Campground and adjacent trails until further notice.

Prior article about bear who was killed at this link. 

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