Days after a black bear walked down Gatlinburg's Main Street during the city's 50th Christmas parade on Dec. 8, another bear returned to downtown on Dec. 10 and was patted on the rear by a man — the bear lunged twice and the man retreated without injury. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency warns that bears unafraid of humans can become habituated and may be euthanized. Officials say keep at least 150 feet from wild bears and note that harassing wildlife can result in fines or arrest.
Gatlinburg Bear Encounters: Parade Crasher, Then A Man Patting A Bear Was Lunged At — Officials Warn
Days After a Bear Wandered Through a Tenn. Christmas Parade, a Man Had a Scary Bear Encounter in the Same Town
Days after a black bear strolled down Gatlinburg's Main Street during the city's 50th annual Christmas parade on Dec. 8, another black bear returned to downtown and had a frightening close encounter with a resident on Dec. 10.
Parade Visitor Draws Attention But Causes Little Panic
Video from the Dec. 8 parade shows a large black bear calmly moving along the onlooker-lined route. Spectators — both locals and tourists — appear to give the animal space as it passed. Encounters with American black bears are common in Gatlinburg because the town borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Man Pats Bear, Bear Responds
Two days later, downtown footage captured a man approaching a different black bear and patting its hindquarters in an attempt to shoo it away. The bear turned and lunged twice toward the man, who retreated without reported injury. The video serves as a stark reminder that wild animals can be unpredictable when provoked or harassed.
StoryfulBear interrupts Christmas parade in Gatlinburg
“The difference between a bear and a dog is that the dog will continue to come around for your affection, even if there isn’t a food reward involved. Bears don’t have that same gene to approach for affection,” said Matt Cameron, a wildlife information specialist with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Why Officials Are Concerned
TWRA and local leaders warn that bears that show little fear of people may become habituated — learning to approach humans for food. Habituated bears create public-safety risks and may eventually have to be euthanized to protect people and other wildlife.
Safety Guidance: City and park officials advise keeping at least 150 feet (about 45 meters) between people and any wild bear. Harassing or approaching wildlife can result in bodily harm as well as legal consequences, including fines and arrest.
Context: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to roughly 1,500 black bears. Residents and visitors are urged to enjoy wildlife from a distance and to never feed, touch, or intentionally approach bears.
