This post was updated 5/7/24
What started as a typical Friday afternoon in downtown Arkadelphia quickly escalated into anything but typical as a black bear was seen roaming near Main and Fourth Streets.
“I was preparing to walk across the street to our main office when I saw the bear at Clint Mathis’ office,” said Jamal Brown, an employee of Taylor King & Associates.
Despite being in a state of disbelief, Brown managed to take several photos of the bear, before notifying a co-worker of what he had witnessed. Brown and the co-worker made their way back to the door, just as other employees of Taylor King & Associates were making their way outside to take a closer look at the bear.
Police were notified and quickly responded to the scene. Within an hour, dozens of spectators had made their way to the downtown area in hopes of catching a glimpse the mammal. As a safety precaution, local law enforcement draped yellow tape along the areas of Main and Fourth Streets to keep the crowd at a distance. There were no reports of anyone being injured.
Officers were able to contain the bear to the premises of Mathis Law Firm. Despite attempts to wait the bear out, officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission tranquilized the animal shortly after 8 p.m.
ORIGINAL POST 5/3/24:
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission officials, along with local law enforcement, busied themselves for several hours Friday afternoon keeping tabs on a black bear in downtown Arkadelphia.
We first got wind of the bear at about 3:30 p.m. Friday; arkadelphian.com provided updates on its Facebook page.
The bear was tranquilized shortly after 8 p.m. behind Mathis Law Firm, 402 Main St.
We expect to have a full story from a special reporter this weekend.
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