Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials still don't know whether a backpacker was killed by a black bear last fall/Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials hope results of an autopsy on a backpacker whose body was being scavenged by a black bear will tell whether the man was killed by the bear.
The necropsy on the bear found last September near the body of Patrick Madura, 43, of Elgin, Illinois, determined it was a healthy, year-old, 231-pound animal.
Madura was on a multi-day backpack in the park that straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border and had reserved backcountry campsite 82 for the night of September 8, park officials said. Three days later, backpackers coming down the trail spotted his unoccupied tent, and then noticed a black bear scavenging his remains.
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.
The ensuing necropsy determined that "(T)here is no evidence of underlying disease in the bear."
At the national park, Dana Soehn said autopsy results on the backpacker still hadn't been received.
"We are waiting on the autopsy and an assessment of cause of death to be able to close out this case," she said Monday in an email. "Until the autopsy comes back, it is unknown whether the bear was responsible for the death of the individual or if it was simply feeding on him after he died."
Great Smoky is home to an estimated 1,500 bears. Very few bears exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans. Wildlife biologists and park rangers work hard to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned or habituated to high-use areas. Out of an abundance of caution for the park's 11 million park visitors, park staff implement aversive-conditioning techniques and, on rare occasions, euthanize individual bears that pose a threat to visitor safety.
Comments
I stayed at campsite 82 with my oldest son (14 yrs) in midJuly and have been following this story. I am extremely sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine. One of the things that jumped out at me about campsite 82 other than the natural beauty and the sound of the creek flowing past the tent was the number of bees. This was mid-July but I got stung a couple of times preparing dinner. Was Patrick by any chance allergic to bee stings? Most backpackers have their close call stories--lightning, a broken bone, dislocated shoulder, hornet nest, hopothermia, rattelsnake curled up a your feet, etc. Once I started taking my own children on longer trips, I began taking a satellite phone just in case there was an emergency. This was something I wouldn't even have thought of doing for longer solo strips when I was younger. There are plenty of black bears in the GSMNP. Euthanizing this one was the correct decision. I hope/pray Patrick passed peacesfully.
A Man is dead, while enjoying his natural resources. He was in his Designated camping area, there is no mention of photography equipment. Any time a Animal feeds on a human, they are destroyed. As to not get into a habit of feeding on humans. That His policy, and it's policy for very good reason. God gave humans the ability to rule over animals, it sounds like you don't like your own species, and project human qualities on animals. Like it or not animals think two ways, and only two ways. Can I eat it or can it eat me.
And reading your response I doubt that you read the article, and if you did you certainly didn't comprehend it. A man has lost to his family forever, taking part in an event that supposed to be safe. And although the bear said on his remains, the cause of death has not been released. Because it is of the supernatural realm, therefore not easy to explain. You should re-read this article with caution, as events like that couldn't happen to you or your loved ones.
I live in Gatlinburg and frankly, I think the bears should have free reign on prey on park visitor. I'm not being sarcastic or trolling, but we are in their home, not the other way around. If a bear kills a human, it is never their fault. If a child is snatched by a bear, do you know who's fault it is? The parents. If you don't like it, leave.
They killed the bear cuz it had tasted human flesh and would likely associate people as food after this. Victim blaming at its finest right here, before any FACTS are divulged by the autopsy. Smh
What a tradgedy for everyone involved. To the family, I am so very sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you. For the bear, I am also very sorry. But I understand that it needed to be done. Especially since Patrick's background suggests that it is very unlikely that he did anything to provoke an attack, or that he was in any way ignorant of the wildlife around him.
I am so sorry for the loss of your family member. Such a tragedy no matter the circumstance. My prayers are with the family of this young man who is gone too soon. May you find comfort in your memories of him.
God bless you so sorry for your families loss and detestation.
Wow...you have a lot to say about a man you know nothing about. But thanks for calling someones loved one who died tragically a 'fool'.
Just to clarify, Patrick has been going to those mountains most of his life. He was an avid hiker, well versed in being in bear country, incredibly safe and followed all the rules. I'd also like to point out nowhere, in any article, or otherwise, does it state that Patrick was killed by a bear, only that a bear was scavenging his dead remains. Incidentally, since you spoke of the killing of the bear...the bear killed was actually actively scavenging on his remains when authorities arrived...if you can't understand why such a bear would have to be euthanized, I would encourage you to educate yourself. Rather than just spew blather about your 'opinion' of what really happened and insult a dead man, maybe you should consider that perhaps this man had a medical emergency and died, or maybe someone killed him and left him there for the animals...maybe he could have had a fall and hit his head and died. The point is, you have zero idea of what or who you are talking about. I recommend knowing before speaking.