Sneaky black bear casually opens car door searching for a snack in Gatlinburg
Luscious mountain cabin views, thrilling family attractions and rebellious bears sneaking into cars. Gatlinburg has it all.
A black bear was captured on video casually searching for food inside of a silver SUV in a Gatlinburg hotel parking lot. Posted on July 29, two women firmly face off with the mischievous bear as it opens the front-and-back passenger side doors and climbs inside.
The owner of the car can be seen honking the horn in effort to scare the animal, but it remains completely unfazed. To help the women, witnesses behind the camera throw food into the parking lot and lure the bear out of the vehicle.
While the bear is distracted, the two women make their escape and lock their doors. The video shows the bear stick around in the parking lot, hopping into a nearby trailer in search of other food options.
Ways to avoid a bear encounter
According to BearWise, an organization created by bear biologists, there are simple precautions to discourage bears from sniffing around cars, campsites and people in search for food.
BearWise recommends the following:
Stash any items that are left behind securely out of site in a locked vehicle or food storage locker. Anything as big as a cooler packed with an afternoon lunch, or as small as fruit-flavored gum can tempt a bear to explore an empty vehicle.
Keep car doors locked and windows closed. Black bears are strong creatures that can easily open unlocked doors and peel down partially opened windows.
Don’t store food, trash or scented products in a tent when camping. All sorts of odors attract bears, so these items should be stored in an approved bear-resistant locker or properly hung at least 10 feet from the ground and 10 feet away from the tree because bears are great climbers and can stretch out for the chance to snag food.
A Gatlinburg bear searches for food by rummaging through trash inside of a parked trailer.
What to do during a bear encounter
It’s important to remember that bears in Gatlinburg are wild and have unpredictable behavior that can be dangerous, according to the National Park Service.
Attacks on humans, although rare, have occurred, ending in critical injury and death. Each bear encounter is different and there is no single strategy that works in all situations, but following basic guidelines may prevent the situation from escalating.
The National Park Service recommends:
Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Stand your ground but slowly wave your arms to help the bear recognize you as human.
Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you. A standing bear is usually curios, not threatening.
Pick up small children immediately.
Do not make any loud noises or screams. The bear may think it’s the sound of a small animal.
Do not run or make sudden movements.
Hike and travel in groups. Bears often become more aware of groups of people from greater distances, and are also intimidating to bears.
Make yourself look as large as possible.
If possible, leave the area or take a detour and wait until the bear moves away.
Be especially careful when encountering a female with cubs. Never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gatlinburg video shows bear opening car doors, searching for food
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