Gatlinburg residents, business owners see uptick in bear activity

[@johnpoindexter6594]

THE PROBLEM.... GATLINBURG SMELLS LIKE FOOD EVERYWHERE!!! Smells like a county fair, candy, burgers, funnel cakes and BBQ!!! 😂

[@ritadyer9295]

True.

[@arresthillary9502]

if I was a bear, I would be hangin out at the Log Cabin Pancake House. yummy, sweet sticky syrup all over my fuzzy face!!!😁

[@SuzetteRobertson]

Yummy

[@SuzetteRobertson]

Pancakes too

[@SuzetteRobertson]

​@@arresthillary9502more syrup yes please more butter yes please

[@koalabear6722]

Absolutely change and inforce the rules. Increase the fines!!!!! 🐻🐻🐻 thanks for caring 😊❤😊

[@stevebond5929]

In 2016 there was a fire that the NPS did not put out that burned down 2500+ homes, it also took out the bear food supply. I know I lost my apple trees and blackberry patch that the bears used to enjoy. I have tried replanting the blackberries twice but I guess I am not much of a farmer. This year we did not have the acorns that we usually have. So the bears looked for another food source. That would be the food in the dumpsters in downtown Gburg along with the trash put out at the curb on the strip. This year Gburg spent like 3 million on new bear proof dumpsters to cut off the food supply. Guess what the bears are looking for a new food supply as they try to stay alive. Now it is the bad tourists fault that they killed 3 dozen bears. Hey Gburg before you cut off one food supply why didn't you and NPS provide a new food supply. I just wish that WVLT news did some actual reporting!

[@Tpbouti]

Trash is not food for bears!!

[@chadillac365]

We visited at the end of October, saw a huge bear by bobs pass road. I have not heard of any humans being killed by black bear in that area, only humans killing bears. If you are scared of bears, stay out of areas that have bear.

[@SmokyMountainStarlight]

The fine should be higher. We definitely need tougher rules about open trash containers. More signs please too. I see a few signs here and there...but let's put up large billboards and let people know its illegal and dangerous. 🙏

[@pamadams7132]

Exactly! At least $1000

[@martineinfrance]

These black bears behave more and more like big dogs ! They remind me of Newfoundland dogs.. Big fluffy black dogs 🐻

[@tjwash2]

I live in bear country in Asheville NC. I put my food waste in small bags in my freezer till trash day. I don't have a bear proof container, but I've not yet had them raid my can

[@Kathy-r8l]

Yes God made the animals also we are in their homes😢

[@donlowther8821]

The last of those pictures were from the comfort inn in gatlinburg. Nothing like opening your room door and theres a bear coming up the steps. I have never seen aggression but o e did eat my cooler on the front of my motorcycle trailer.

[@MsDcameron]

Poor bears!

[@pambell4743]

Shame on you humans I say don’t feed the bears and mind the laws because you are actually responsible for killing the bears then you ain’t gonna see no more I have dumb neighbors that feed them

[@sheliawisner811]

It because. Hurricane,,it destoyed the trees and food,, bless the heart of bears have to be killed.. soo sad. I pray they find an answer to save the bears!!!

[@rhondaalan8436]

Wiping out the very reason people come here, not a good idea, I saw that happen 30 years ago in Florida with the alligator

[@Taylorstips]

People go there specifically to see the bears because they’re so prevalent in that town

[@Kathy-r8l]

Take food upon the mountain away from the people for the bears get them away from town!!!😢

[@johnpoindexter6594]

I was just there. Didn't see a bear!

[@SuzetteRobertson]

Maybe it saw u😂

[@SuzetteRobertson]

Just kidding

[@bryantsnider3908]

How about not living in a bear habitat? Why don't you plant fruit trees and other things that bears eat? You all get enough rain, it be fine. Don't understand why you all won't do everything possible to keep bears up in the mountain. Can someone explain why you won't plant fruit for them up in the mountains.

[@ritadyer9295]

Another comment was talking about how a lot of the supply was burned up in a fire. Guess it takes awhile to start over.

[@Tpbouti]

@@ritadyer9295nope. There is plenty of food. It’s the tourist feeding the bears.

[@martineinfrance]

Maybe not only tourists are feeding bears, residents too.. We have the same problem in France in cities with pigeons, not the same size but still, they carry germs and diseases!

[@bearforceone689]

Stop killing Bears you ghouls.

[@Dawnjackson1812]

I’ve been there 1000 times and I’ve never wanted to see a bear!!

[@gingermarie1760]

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