Black bears are a common sight in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with around 1,900 living in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park (based on data collected in 2017 and 2018. That number may very well exceed 2,000 today). Sightings of bears on the city streets aren’t infrequent, and both residents and visitors are encouraged to be bear aware throughout the year.
Typically the bears are spotted outside, but this case that occurred earlier in May is a bit different. Police were reportedly called to the Quality Inn & Suites with reports that someone, or something, was stuck inside the bathroom. The bear managed to wander into the facility before somehow closing the door behind itself, locking it in. Upon arrival, police cracked the door open and let the bear take it from there.
Once the bear was out of the bathroom, the police can be seen speaking loudly and banging sticks together to scare the bear away, a typical hazing technique that will hopefully encourage the animal to stay away from buildings and people in the future. If you live in or are visiting bear country, make sure you follow the six Bear Wise Basics while doing so.
Six BearWise Basics:
The BearWise Program has adopted six basic facts to help reduce and eliminate human-bear interactions to keep both people and bears safe.
Never Feed or Approach Bears: Feeding bears, whether intentionally or unintentionally, teaches them to approach people for food, creating dangerous situations for both bears and humans.
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling: Store all food, garbage, and recycling in bear-resistant containers or inside your home, garage, or a bear-proof enclosure. This also includes removing all sources of food from vehicles and making sure that your vehicle doors are locked at all times.
Remove Bird Feeders When Bears Are Active: Bird feeders can attract bears. Take them down and clean up spilled seeds to reduce the risk of attracting bears to your property.
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors: Feed pets indoors or remove uneaten pet food immediately if fed outside. Bears can smell pet food from a distance.
Clean and Store Grills Properly: After use, clean your grills and store them securely to avoid attracting bears with leftover food smells.
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity: If you see a bear, let your neighbors know. Working together as a community is vital to keeping bears and people safe.
