© D. Machado / NPSInvestigators found drag marks leading into the woods from the man's campsite, and they found extensive injuries on the body that were "consistent with those expected from a large carnivore attack."
"Until the Arkansas Crime Lab completes the autopsy, we can't one hundred percent say it was a bear, but everything strongly indicates it," Sheriff Glen Wheeler said. "We know without a doubt that a bear was in camp with our victim and the injuries absolutely are consistent with a bear attack."
Wheeler added that it was a "highly unusual case," and that they will update the public on the full findings of their investigation when complete. Officials have not released the identity of the man, who was visiting the state from Missouri.
Wheeler explained in the statement that the sheriff's office had gotten a call from the man's son on Thursday. He said that his father was camping at Sam's Throne but hadn't checked in for a couple days. When officers arrived, the man was not in his camp. They found his body several yards outside the campsite.
Comment: Arkansas bear attack may be the state's first since before the Civil War - Elderly man subsequently dies