Two Fatal Black Bear Attacks Shatter Arkansas' Century-Long Calm

When Brad Carner, senior wildlife biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, confirmed two deadly black‑bear incidents within a month, the state’s long‑standing lull finally cracked.

The first tragedy unfolded on September 3, 2025 in Franklin County, where a year‑old male black bear—about seventy pounds—bit a local man. He lingered in the hospital for eleven days before passing on September 14. Exactly three weeks later, on October 3, a Missouri camper met the same fate at a campground in Newton County. Both attacks marked the first consecutive fatal bear encounters in Arkansas since records began.

Historical Context: From "The Bear State" to Reintroduction Success

Arkansas earned the nickname “The Bear State” in the early 19th century when black bears roamed the Ozarks and Ouachitas in the thousands. Dr. Michael J. Hooker, editor of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, has catalogued a string of grim episodes: a sixteen‑year‑old named Alden Rose allegedly devoured in Pulaski County on June 15, 1852, a disputed 1879 report of two tramps killed near Arkadelphia, and a 1892 attack that left two children of Mary Carter dead in Baxter County.

By the 1930s the population had dwindled to fewer than fifty individuals, confined mainly to what is now the White River National Wildlife Refuge. Between 1958 and 1968 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission launched a bold reintroduction program, moving 254 black bears from Minnesota and Manitoba into the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension specialists later called that effort “one of the most successful reintroductions of a large carnivore ever achieved.”

Two Recent Fatalities: What Really Happened?

The September incident began when the victim, a 42‑year‑old Franklin County resident, wandered near a known bear habitat at dusk. Witnesses say the animal lunged as the man tried to retreat, delivering a bite to his thigh. He survived the initial wound but succumbed to infection and blood loss days later.

In Newton County, the October death was even more sudden. A Missouri family had set up camp near the Little Buffalo River; a mother bear, startled by food left unsecured, sprinted out of the brush and charged the tent. The camper, 38‑year‑old James Whitaker (name released by authorities), was dragged approximately twenty‑five feet before he was killed.

Jessica Cockroft, an outdoor‑safety writer for BearVault.com, summed it up: “Since 1784 there have been only 66 fatal black‑bear conflicts across North America. That’s roughly one every four years continent‑wide. To see two in a single state in thirty days is startling.”

Expert Insight: How Rare Are These Encounters?

According to the same BearVault analysis, there are about nine hundred thousand black bears spread across forty states. The odds of a person being killed by a wild black bear sit at “one in three million,” a figure echoed by the National Park Service after a 2010 Montana fatality. The agency also warned that fleeing from a bear can trigger a defensive response—a mistake believed to have contributed to the 2025 Newton County tragedy.

Brad Carner emphasized that “most black bears will flee, not fight.” He added that proper food storage and avoiding surprise encounters drastically cut risk. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (ADPHT) has taken those warnings to heart.

State Response: New Safety Mandates

On October 5, 2025 the ADPHT issued an emergency advisory targeting the three counties most affected. By October 15, campground operators must install bear‑proof food containers; by October 20, every hiking trail in Franklin, Newton, and Madison counties must display prominent bear‑warning signs. Violations could result in fines up to $1,000 per offense.

Local sheriffs are also being briefed on best‑practice protocols. “We’re not trying to scare hikers,” said Sheriff Randy McAllister of Newton County, “we’re just giving them the tools to stay safe while enjoying the woods.”

What This Means for Arkansas and Beyond

These back‑to‑back fatalities may nudge the public perception of black bears from “shy neighbor” to “potential threat.” That shift could affect tourism, hunting regulations, and future reintroduction projects. Conservationists worry that over‑reactive measures—like culling—might undo decades of work restoring bear numbers.

Still, the data suggest the danger remains minuscule. Even with the two deaths, the fatality rate in Arkansas for 2025 sits at roughly 0.1 per million bear sightings, well below the national average. Education, not eradication, is the message most experts urge.

Key Facts

• Two fatal black‑bear attacks occurred in September and October 2025 in Franklin and Newton counties.
• Since 1784, North America has recorded only 66 fatal black‑bear encounters.
• Arkansas reintroduced 254 bears between 1958‑1968 after the population fell below 50.
• ADPHT now mandates bear‑proof containers in affected counties by Oct 15, 2025.
• Black bears number about 900,000 across 40 U.S. states.