Four bears that were killed by TWRA officers on Monday have a long history of aggressive behavior, dating back over two years.
TWRA officers were called out yet again Monday morning to investigate another report of aggressive behavior by a sow bear and her cubs. This family group has been observed on multiple occasions chasing people, getting into vehicles, and attempting to get inside residences. In a recent incident, a couple vacating at a cabin in the area was retrieving items from the back of a vehicle when a bear in question attempted to enter the open side door. Inside the van was a five-year-old child.
According to reports from the Gatlinburg Police Department and TWRA, this group of bears has generated over 80 calls for service and is responsible for eight documented damaged vehicles and several more from vehicle owners who did not request accident reports.
Wildlife officers in Sevier County say they have been dealing with this particular sow for over two years and have been unsuccessful in multiple attempts to capture her. As a last resort, TWRA officers decided to put the bears down Monday morning.
“The unfortunate reality is that the sow has taught all of her cubs how to feed themselves on human food, which has led to aggressive behavior towards people. We just couldn’t allow the risk of harm to people to continue any longer.”
In some instances, orphaned black bear cubs and yearlings can be taken to rehabilitation facilities such as the Appalachian Bear Rescue with hopes of successful reintroduction into the wild.
“ABR is an important partner of TWRA who plays a vital role in conserving Tennessee’s black bear populations by rehabilitating orphaned, sick, and injured black bear cubs and yearlings into the wild,” said TWRA Region IV Manager John Gregory. “In fact, ABR is the only privately-operated facility in the southeast that can accept bears for rehabilitation and TWRA even allows bears to be brought to ABR from other states.”
Unfortunately, these bears were not eligible for placement into a rehabilitation center because of their behavior and dependency of human food and trash. TWRA also wants to stress that ABR was not contacted about receiving these bears and was not involved in this incident.
Officials said, "TWRA wants to reiterate the statement that 'A fed bear is a dead bear.' Irresponsible people were ultimately to blame for the deaths of these bears. By intentionally feeding them in some cases or allowing them access to food and garbage, these bears became bolder and more aggressive until the point that human safety was compromised. Do not store food or garbage in areas accessible to bears and do not feed wildlife in areas where bears are active."
For more information, visit http://www.tn.gov/twra/article/black-bear-damage-control.