Trail association in Franklin County says 2 backpackers survived bear attack

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Ozark Highlands Trail Association says two backpackers had to defend themselves from a black bear in Franklin County.

The trail association says the backpackers survived an attack from a bear over the weekend while camping on the Ozark Highlands Trail at Salt Fork Creek, two miles east of White Rock Mountain.

According to the trail association, the backpackers had to defend themselves the entire night.

The attack comes after two people in Arkansas were killed by bears in a month, one in Franklin County and one in Newton County.

The OHTA gives a few tips to avoid bears while camping:

• Keep a clean camp.
• Don’t burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill.
• Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent.
• Cook downwind and as far from your tent as possible.
• Set up backcountry camps away from dense cover and natural food sources.