Visitors Attacking Bears at Smokies
Rangers remind visitors to keep their distance from wildlife.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS N.P.—A series of incidents involving visitors attacking black bears at the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year has prompted rangers to remind people of the need to leave wildlife alone.
"We are working really hard now to keep bears and people separated," said Bill Stiver, wildlife biologist. "The message we want people to understand is that they need to view wildlife from a distance, always."
Rangers at the park have long voiced that message and are now re-emphasizing it after three incidents this past summer at Cades Cove.
- On June 28, several visitors interfered when a black bear attacked a fawn. One man who kicked the bear, grabbed it, and slammed it to the ground was charged with disturbing wildlife and disorderly conduct.
- On July 7, park researcher Jennifer Murrow heard an animal cry. While driving on Cades Cove Loop Road, she then saw a small bear trying to kill a deer fawn. One visitor, among a gathering of people, threw large rocks at the bear, trying to stop it from attacking the fawn. Murrow moved the crowd back and explained the role of bears and deer in the wild.
- On July 22, several young men chased a small bear and one tried to pick it up to take a picture with it. The bear bit the visitor. Shortly thereafter another young visitor hit the bear with a stick while holding a knife, as friends videotaped him.
"The bear is doing what it's supposed to do, part of a predator-prey relationship," said Stiver. "Maybe that's hard for people to accept. It's a challenge for us every day to remind people to let the natural order of the wild run its course."
Because visitor run-ins with bears at Cades Cove are not likely to end any time soon—the 11-mile loop is a popular spot for visitors hoping to see wildlife—the message coming from the park rangers is simple: If your behavior changes the behavior of an animal, you're too close.
"People need to keep that in mind and keep their distance," said Stiver.
