Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers were trying to determine whether a black bear killed a backpacker/Tennessee Wildlife Resources
A black bear found scavenging human remains was put down at Great Smoky Mountains National Park early Saturday, leaving investigators to determine whether the man was killed by the bear.
Backpackers Friday afternoon on the Hazel Creek Trail spotted what appeared to be human remains and a bear scavenging in the area near campsite 82, where there was an unoccupied tent, a park release said Saturday.
The hikers quickly left to obtain cell coverage and report the incident to the authorities. Law enforcement rangers and wildlife officers reached the campsite shortly after midnight, confirmed the report of a deceased adult human male, and killed a bear seen scavenging on the remains.
Rangers were working Saturday to notify the next of kin. The cause of death was unknown, and the case under active investigation, the park release said.
The Hazel Creek Trail was to remain closed until further notice between the junction with Cold Springs Gap Trail and Welch Ridge Trail.
Comments
I always feel bad for people so afraid of the world that their first thought is always to talk about their guns.
Brown bears vs black bear, Nomenclatur generally only used in Alaska
predator was killed by predator. By our rules, we were required to return to our predator ways. It is sad that the only option, currently, was to kill the bear...
I believe the earlier comments actually referred to black "beers" and brown "beers" and how somebody needed to always carry a gun in the forest because you have to kill them that has tasted Hungarians or he that is going to Hungary to eat humans or maybe he who has eaten humans in Hungary and may do so again. Or, something like that. I don't know. I just don't know.
I also don't know about nomenclatur [sic] generally used in Alaska. I've had the homor of spending nearly sixty years listening to and speaking with some of the world's top wildlife and conservation biologists, including Starker and Luna Leopold, Michael Soule, the Craigheads, the Muries, Dr. Wilson, and many others. We talked a lot about brown bears and black bears, regardless of actual color, about bears from Alaska to Florida and Maine to California and, all that time, we never once realized we were not using the correct nomenclature. I guess you learn something every day.
I know one thing; from now on, I'm always going to keep a gun handy just in case I run into a beer from Hungary. You can't never tell about 'em; you just can't.
This is why I don't go to the National Parks. Their anti-gun policy means that I have just put myself on the menu for what ever large predetor I may encounter. Be it two legged or four.
That's okay, Ron, we understand. So many of the parks are overcrowded, overused, and undersupported anyway. If you would feel better just staying at home and maybe cleaning and polishing your guns, that's your choice; you're have the libery and freedom to make that choice; we respect your choice; and we're behind you 100%.
I understand all the sentiments expressed, but hey--a little spelling/grammar/punctuation, please...
Ron - A) your alternate facts are wrong on Natinal Park gun policy. Even the NRA has links on it. b) I hope that some day you can work through whatever it is and feel safe in the world without having to carry a gun everywhere.