210 Pounds Black Bear Euthanized Following Attack That Injured a Tourist in Tennessee

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a black bear that broke into the house in the middle of the night on Saturday injured a visitor who was on vacation in Tennessee. The black bear was later trapped and euthanized by authorized officials.

Around 11:00 PM, according to TWRA officers, the incident happened in downtown Gatlinburg. A bear had entered the house through a set of French doors that were locked but not deadbolted when a male tourist staying in the rental cabin stepped into the kitchen, according to a press release.

According to TWRA officials, the man suffered injuries to his face and the top of his head when the bear charged at him and swatted at him. The bear gouged at him across the back as he fled to the bedroom, where the man was able to lock the doors and call 911. His family then drove him to a nearby hospital where he received treatment and was later released.

Trapping the Black Bear

According to TWRA, authorities set a trap at the scene, and a bear matching the description was captured and put to death on Sunday afternoon. The black bear was a female between the ages of 2 and 3, without cubs. It weighed nearly 210 pounds, according to officials.

The bear's claws were swabbed for traces of human hemoglobin testing, and hair samples were taken for DNA analysis. Results are anticipated to be made public this week, according to a release. TWRA statements were also reported by WBIR 10 News on their website.

According to wildlife officials, bears that are accustomed to being around people and eating unnatural foods occasionally enter homes, cars, and other places where people live in search of food, WVLT reports.

What To Do When a Bear is Nearby

According to National Park Service (NPS), the park's bears are wild animals, and their behavior is unpredictable. Attacks on people have happened, despite being extremely rare, and have resulted in fatalities and severe injuries. Bear encounters must be handled with the utmost caution.

Here are some reminders from NPS:

Locals and visitors alike are reminded to remain watchful of their surroundings when staying in parks or forests where bears are known to roam.
It is not advisable to approach a bear and likewise let it approach or come nearby.
There may be times when a bear could be seen at a distance, feeding or walking by. There is no need for action in the situation for individuals who were noticed by the bear but were not approached.
It is recommended to carry on while observing the bear until it is no longer within sight.
However, for people who see a bear and the bear changes its behavior, it might mean that there is a shorter distance between the bear and the person. Behavior change is seen when the bear stops feeding, changes its travel direction, and watches the human it sees.
Being too close might encourage the bear to act aggressively, such as by charging at the person it sees, making loud noises, or even pounding or swatting the ground. This means that the bear is demanding more space.
If this happens, suddenly running is discouraged. The best course of action is to gradually step back while keeping a close eye on the bear and extending the distance from the bear. According to NPS, the bear is likely to follow suit.