Recent Bear Problems

[bhowdy]

It seems that an over abundance of food last year may be the cause of GSMNP bear problems this year.

Nuisance Bear Incidents Up In Park
The Associated Press
Originally published: June 13. 2009 3:01AM

GATLINBURG -- Several confrontations between Smoky Mountains visitors and bears have been reported this spring.

Park officials closed Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove on Tuesday evening after a black bear became aggressive toward two groups of hikers. The trail was opened again on Thursday.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that in one instance, a hiker climbed a tree to get away from the bear which bluff-charged the group.


In recent weeks, five backcountry campsites have been closed and bear warnings were posted for 16 campsites and trails.

Great Smokies National Park spokeswoman Nancy Gray said the increased bear activity is probably because a lot of cubs were born over the winter, due to plentiful food last summer.

There are an estimated 1,500 bears in the park.

[smokies_hiker]

Was at Abrams Falls yesterday (06/13) and I saw the yellow notice on the trail marker where you cross the footlog to get to the falls: "Bears active in this area". I had also seen on the kiosk at Abrams Creek ranger station that campsite 15 on the nearby Rabbit Creek trail was closed due to bear activity.

[don]

I was in Cataloochee on Saturday and there was a sign that campsite 41 was closed due to bear activity. That campsite is about 2 miles from the ranger station.