Bear Mauls Elderly Man in Arkansas — Marking State’s First Such Attack in 25 Years

Bear Attack Strikes 72-Year-Old Man in Arkansas — State’s First Incident in 25 Years

An unprecedented event unfolded in Arkansas when a 72-year-old man named Vernon Patton fell victim to a harrowing black bear attack in the Mulberry Mountain area on Wednesday, September 3. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) revealed that Patton sustained grave injuries, including severe cuts and puncture wounds to his head and arms during the encounter. He was promptly airlifted to a nearby hospital to undergo urgent surgery, in a scene that has stirred shockwaves throughout the state.

The AGFC expressed astonishment at the rare occurrence, underscoring that Arkansas had remained untouched by documented bear attacks on humans for a quarter of a century. This alarming incident has cast a shadow over the serene enclave of Mulberry Mountain, as locals grapple with the unsettling reality of such a violent encounter in their midst. The tranquil surroundings were shattered by the unexpected aggression of a 70-pound juvenile black bear, which caught Patton off guard as he tended to his duties near the mountain.

Eyewitness accounts from Patton’s son, who witnessed the brutal mauling, further deepened the horror of the incident, as he hastened to alert the authorities. The subsequent swift response from AGFC officials saw Patton swiftly transported to medical facilities for urgent treatment. Details emerged of the victim’s perilous state, with reports of deep lacerations and puncture wounds that underscore the ferocity of the bear’s assault on the elderly man.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shocking event, questions loom over the circumstances that led to this unprecedented attack. Authorities swiftly reacted to the situation, with two AGFC wardens cordoning off the area and neutralising the bear responsible for the vicious assault. The decision to euthanise the animal was made in the interest of public safety, as investigators seek to unravel the events that culminated in this tragic confrontation.

Efforts to shed light on the motives behind the bear’s aggression are in progress, as a necropsy is set to be conducted on the bear’s carcass to ascertain any underlying health conditions or behavioural anomalies that could have triggered the attack. Concerns over potential diseases such as rabies or distemper have prompted a thorough examination of the animal, in a bid to safeguard against future incidents and ensure the safety of residents in bear-populated regions.

In the wake of this jolting incident, the community remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of an event that has defied decades of tranquillity. The AGFC’s prompt response and vigilance in monitoring bear activity serve as a stark reminder of the inherent risks posed by wildlife encounters, underscoring the need for caution and awareness in regions cohabited by humans and bears. The resilient spirit of Vernon Patton as he battles to recover from his traumatic ordeal stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.