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Bear Found Scavenging Remains Of Backpacker At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Published Date

September 12, 2020
Great Smoky Mountain National Park rangers were trying to determine whether a black bear killed a backpacker/Tennessee Wildlife

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. 

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Comments

Submitted by Stavros on September 15, 2020 - 1:43pm.

YES!! I was about to type the exact same thing.


Submitted by RVS on September 15, 2020 - 5:16pm.

When we lived in AK, we did not go camping/hiking without a gun.  It was to be used on attacking Black bears.  If it was a Brown bear, it was for us.


Submitted by Savannah on September 16, 2020 - 9:10am.

I'm on the bear's side, period. 


Submitted by James Pozzi on September 16, 2020 - 10:17am.

I can determine that you didn't pay much attention in English class. Been to Glacier and hiked in Grizzly territory and never brought a gun. It's their backyard, not ours.


Submitted by Josephus on September 24, 2020 - 10:34am.

I never enter a National Park (or any wilderness) without at least one gun. There are way too many predators (serial killers, grizzly bears, pumas, wacko environmentalists, T-Rexes, Sasquatches, Witches, Land Crabs and Elves) that stalk the forests and canyons of our parks to go there without a firearms. The main thing is to make sure you have enough killing power to take down whatever you might encounter in your moment of need. Pew. pew, pew!!!


Submitted by Poppycock on October 1, 2020 - 9:14pm.

I agree the bear was murdered for doing what bears do


Submitted by MOM on June 25, 2022 - 4:03pm.

So sorry for the camper. And so sorry for the bear. 


Submitted by Pam JG on June 27, 2022 - 12:08pm.

It seems quite appropriate that if we move into a bear's territory, we should accept the risk that we have now also agreed to become the bear's prey.  It's the cycle of life.  The bear shouldn't be punished for human mistakes.


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