Back in October during the government shutdown an unusual rescue unfolded in Great Smoky Mountains National Park but with National Parks social media accounts at a standstill we are just finding out about it now.
The scene took place on Laurel Creek Road where a juvenile black bear (likely startled while trying to cross the busy road) scrambled up a roadside cliff to escape the traffic. Safe from speeding vehicle on its precarious perch, looky-loo tourists began to gather forming a “bear jam” creating a dangerous situation for both the animal and the public.
Park officials decided to step in and shoot the bear with a tranquilizer gun. As the sedative took hold, a park ranger rappelled from above and coaxed it into the waiting bucket of a John Deere backhoe:
“While we usually let wildlife navigate their environment without interference, this situation called for action. A coordinated team of law enforcement, wildlife biologists, preventive search and rescue (PSAR) rangers, and maintenance crews stepped in. Law enforcement managed traffic, biologists safely tranquilized the bear to prevent injury, and PSAR staff rappelled down the cliff to guide the bear into a backhoe bucket.”
Happy to report that thanks to the collaborative effort the bear was rescued without injury.
“We’re proud of the creative, compassionate rangers that made this possible.”
