Gatlinburg Bear Controversy

It is hard to argue otherwise. Evidence shows the City of Gatlinburg shirked responsibility to properly manage the city-owned convenience site, operated by the Gatlinburg Public Works department. First, even though residents of the area often saw bears rummaging through dumpsters in broad daylight, the dumpsters did not even have lids. Private residences and Gatlinburg vacation cabins are required by law to have bear-proof garbage containers, but the city itself did not bother to provide secure dumpsters. The city put up a fence surrounding the dumpsters, but bears are excellent climbers and even barbed wire did not deter them.

The warning signs were clear and the failure of city officials to act is a tragedy. It is worrisome that city officials failed to act despite common knowledge that bears in human areas means trouble. More alarming is that city officials still did not act even when bears became day-active at the garbage dump. Bears active during the day are a warning bell that a serious garbage problem exists; bears in the wild are rarely active during daylight hours.

In early November, an elderly resident in the neighborhood was injured at her home following a bear attack (news article), leading to placement of bear traps in the area and capture of the cubs later euthanized. The attacking bear, mother to those cubs, was rummaging through the resident’s unsecured garbage on the porch. Because bears are naturally fearful of humans, the bear that attacked the woman normally would never visit the neighborhood. But because of the availability of unsecured garbage in the area, the bear became a garbage bear, stopped following her natural instinct to stay away from humans, and taught her cubs likewise.

When bears first appeared at the dumpster during the day, the city should have reacted swiftly to protect the welfare of both city residents and bears by providing bear-proof dumpsters. It is unsettling that only after a resident was hurt, only after two bear cubs were killed, and only after a rebuke from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has the city of Gatlinburg taken responsibility for the safety of both residents and wildlife by installing a bear-proof trash compactor.

Visitors to the Pigeon Forge area and the Great Smoky Mountains can do their part to ensure the safety of both black bears and people by remembering the importance of securing garbage properly. When vacationing in a Pigeon Forge cabin, even in a condominium or resort, securing garbage keeps wildlife and visitors safe.

Bears are naturally shy and will make an effort to avoid humans except when they have learned to eat human foods. A tempting treat for bears, garbage should never be left where a bear can get to it. To protect yourself and to protect the bears, follow these guidelines for bear safety:

• Do not leave garbage outdoors overnight. Bears are active at night and will discover the garbage.
• Secure garbage in a sturdy building or a bear-resistant trash container.
• Do not leave pet food where bears can find it.
• Keep bird feeders out of the reach of bears.
• Keep grills and other cooking equipment clean and grease-free, or store where bears cannot get to it.

To read more about bear safety while hiking in the Smoky Mountains and what you should do when you encounter a bear, read the full PigeonForge.com blog “Be Bear Aware” from July 2006 (Click Here to read “Be Bear Aware”)