A Great Smoky Mountains National Park road is closed after a visitor was scratched by a bear.
Park officials announced that Rich Mountain Road in the Cades Cove, Tennessee area will be closed to all traffic starting Saturday, August 5, until further notice.
“By closing Rich Mountain Road, we are protecting people and bears,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash in a press release. “When people intentionally attract bears with human food or pet food it can lead to a dangerous situation for visitors, local communities, and the bears.”
According to the press release, the visitor in their vehicle encountered a bear that “has become habituated to humans and vehicles.” The release says the visitor didn’t “contribute to the bear’s habituation” i.e. feeding the bear or encouraging contact with the bear. The visitor did receive minor scratches.
Officials explain that once someone throws food out of a vehicle toward a bear, or leaves food on the ground, the bear becomes conditioned to that food and that experience. Over time, food-conditioned bears may become bold and aggressive to get human food. That means that they may approach vehicles and people. A female bear can teach that dangerous behavior to her cubs.
Park visitors and community members can help ensure their safety and the future of black bears by taking steps to prevent bears from becoming conditioned to human food, pet food, and trash.
The park shared these tips for keeping safe:
- Be extra careful in the summer. August is a critical time of year for bears when berries, acorns, and other primary food sources are not in season.
- Never intentionally approach, feed, or leave food or trash out for a bear.
- Do not stop along roadways in the vicinity of bears and always remain 50 yards (150 feet) or more from bears.
- Photographers should use telephoto lenses.
- Find more tips and information at BearWise website.
