By Lauren Liebhaber, The Kansas City Star

Arkansas wildlife officials announced they killed the wrong black bear in pursuit of an animal responsible for a fatal mauling at an Ozark National Forest campground in early October.

The victim, identified as 60-year-old Max Thomas of Springfield, Missouri, was found dead Oct. 2 at Sam’s Throne Campground, according to a Thursday news release from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Authorities said Thomas’ son grew concerned after not hearing from him for a couple days, noting that among the last messages the family received from Thomas were photos of a black bear in his campsite, McClatchy News previously reported.

Three days later, wildlife officials killed a bear in the area that matched the size and physical characteristics of the su

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