Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information from park staff. You can find the update here.
A black bear, possible aggravated by a barking dog that was off leash, inflicted minor injuries on a couple that was enjoying a picnic near the Folk Art Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Parkway officials, who instituted several closures along the ridgeline park in a bid to prevent additional attacks, were trying to track the black bear. If caught, it would be euthanized, a park release said.
The attack happened Wednesday evening. According to the release, the unidentified couple was alerted to the bear's presence by their dog, which ran towards the animal while barking.
"Likely aggravated by the dog, the bear acted defensively toward the dog and the couple," the release said. "Over the next several minutes, there were repeated attacks by the bear while the couple retreated with their dog to the safety of their vehicle.
The couple, whose injuries were not detailed, then drove to an area hospital where they were treated and released.
Area closures that were instituted following the incident included:
- The Mountains to the Sea Trail from the intersection with the parkway visitor center Loop Trail near milepost 384 to Riceville Road Bridge at milepost 382.
- The Folk Art Center Nature Loop Trail and all trails accessed off of Bull Mountain Road.
- Picnicking was also prohibited between the Asheville Visitor Center and adjacent parking areas near parkway milepost 384 to the Haw Creek Overlook near milepost 380.
Park staff was working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff to capture the bear, and was conducting foot patrols in the immediate area of the attack.
"If the offending bear is captured and positively identified, officials will humanly euthanize the animal per park and NCWRC protocol," the release said.
Park staff reminds visitors that fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a key feeding period for bears, as they try to add calories before winter hibernation. Visitors need to practice proper food storage, keeping pets leashed, and viewing wildlife from a distance, the park release said.
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Comments
Euthanize the bear? No! Couple should assume responsibility for having an unleashed dog!
....So.....the couple should be euthanized? You're an idiot. You people crying about the occasional killing of a bear make me sick. We live in and with Nature, and there are consequences on both sides- to both bear and human. Deal with that until you accept it and take your tail and go home.
It is the bears home. Not ours. We are visitors. The couple should be banned, fined or charged. The bear did what it did because of their stupid decision to keep the mutt unleashed
you are the ridiculous one that needs to go home and kerp their mouth shut......humans were in the bears home and NOT following proper procedures. The bear acted naturally defending itself. If humans who are supposed to be the more intelligent ones want to go in the park with wild animals...educate yourself before entering and leave your domestic animal at home where it belongs
The couple should not be euthanized, but they should be cited. The bear was provoked because of their disregard for the rules. If somebody had walked up to their dog and antagonized it while it was on a leash and had been bitten as a result, it would not be the dog's fault either. If this account is accurate, the bear was responding appropriately.
Of course people don't want the bear killed over bratty tourists unwilling to follow protocol that is obvious to any hiker. I've been a hiker and have been primitive camping for decades and have never had an issue because I leash my dogs and seal food. There is no "humane" way to kill a healthy animal of that size. It's incredibly unnecessary and cruel. The fault was the tourists. The bear is not a dangerous man eater. I'm not sure why you're so angry about people feeling upset about the fact that an innocent creature is being hunted down over the stupid actions of humans.
As far as living in nature, these folks weren't living there. They were tourists probably city folk who think they can do what they want without consequence.
Why does anyone have to be euthanized?
What are you talking about the couple being euthanized? Your post sounds like a crazed person. There's no reason to euthanize a bear for acting appropriately in its natural environment. The couple that had the dog off leash should at least accept that responsibility.
I agree with you a hundred fold. stay the hell out of they're home/ habitat ! They have very little as it is now thanks to humans.
Keep ALL dogs on a leash!! I’ve been attacked by loose dogs and not bears. Not the bear’s fault.
That was my thought exactly. The bear was provoked.
Yes, the bear was defending itself. The people were breaking the law.
Exactly. So tired of wildlife paying the price for human entitlement.
I hate it also. But it is park policy. No exceptions.
Please do not euthanize the poor bear. The idiots who had their dog off leash should be penalized.
i seriously doubt the bear caused them any injuries,and most likely the the scratches they may cured was from falling running away from it!Ashville area,go figure!
100% agree. Why shouLtd the bear be killed because the offending couple was irresponsible.
The couple should be educated on their responsibilities when co-habiting with nature and pay a fine.
Exactly!
These people were not following protocol, and allowed their dog off leash, as well as having a picnic in an area where bears are feeding as they prepare for hibernation. They weren’t seriously injured or killed; why should the bear be euthanized?
Time to start.openimg hunting of bears so they are afraid of humans again.
No...the bear is just being a bear... why should the bear be punished for people who don't respect their surroundings...
I agree! Not the bear's fault!
The only protocol that they were not following, was having there dog not on a leash, certainly not having a picnic. I do not and anyone that has a brain knows this does not constitute killing the bear!
Noooo do not euthanise the bear. he was “attacked” first by unrestrained dog.
In Australia you cannot take any domestic pet or animal into wildlife reserves and parks.
Of course the bear reacted, IT’S HIS HOME AFTER ALL. He’d react to any animal having a go at him. Picnickers need to choose recreation spots wisely especially in this pre-hibernation then post-hibernation season. This info is always available throughout these parks (which I thought were created to also protect the animals within).
Surely this rule (where no actual attack took place it seems, can be relaxed). We’re too quick to harm and blame our wildlife supposedly in the name of self protection.
Educate the public FIRST.
Our wildlife is just that … Wildlife. Let them have their life. We should work around it.
Exactly ~ well-said Vicky!
Hoping they do not find the bear who was doing it's best to try to prepare to survive the winter. How would they "positively identify" that same bear! We were hiking along a creek near Banner Elk, NC last week and came upon a very freshly killed deer carcass. We IMMEDIATELY turned back and walked as fast as we could to avoid disturbing a bear coming back for a snack. We must respect their right to their home and habitat.
The bear is not a problem bear. it was threatened by an off the leash dog. The couple should be banned fron all national parks for life. Don't play by thr rules lose the privelege.
Couple should not have dog off lease. Leave bear alone.
Agreed!
Euthanize the bear?! No!!! Penalize the people who were breaking the rules. If they don't want to be banned for life, make them do a public serrvice announcement at their own expense and production. It must be approved by the Parkway.. The couple must fully accept responsibility and blame on their PSA. They must talk about how fortunate they are that they weren't kulled, mauled, or hurtbadly. They must also talk about the responsibility and necessity of following the rules. Any "attitude"? Forget the PSA and go with the ban.
PLEASE DON'T EUTHANIZE THE BEAR!!! People were letting their dog run around unleashed. It's their fault, not the bear's. Why kill an innocent animal over people's stupidity? If you must put the bear down, put the dog down as well. It's only fair. Jerks!!!
If this couple would have followed the rules this most likly would not be a question. I agree why kill the bear for this couples stupidy?
I'm very glad the people were not mortally wounded and sounds as if they'll be fine. However I completely disagree with putting the animal down. You're in their hood.
Let’s not talk about the fact that quite a few people around Asheville think it’s cool to feed bears on their porches and around their businesses. Let’s not blame the people who mostly likely habituated this bear to getting food from humans.
Keep bears wild!
Wow. The responses don't seem to show an understanding of normal black bear behavior.
Sure the requirement is that dogs should be leashed, but I doubt that the dog being unleashed affects whether or not they choose to put down the bear. Black bears are normally very timid around humans and usually try to avoid any kind of conflict. Attacks are exceedingly rare, although huffing and bluff charges often happen when they're scared but not really looking to attack. That this bear didn't just get the heck out of there and tried to attack two people is the reason why they want to put it down.
The Blue Ridge Parkway probably also has interesting jurisdictional issues if they're coordinating with North Carolina regarding a bear. But absolutely their policy is that whenever a bear is deemed to be dangerous it will be killed. I guess many here don't like it, but it's pretty similar to the policies that federal agencies employ.
Finally a comment with some intelligent input!
Nearly every black bear I have encountered in my life has tucked tail and run away as soon as it realized I was there... even during their peak feeding season. The ones that didn't run were in areas were humans fed them regularly or they had easy access to trash were used to humans.
Unfortunately, if a bear exhibits aggressive behavior and attacks a human, they need to be euthanized. If not, they find their way back to the areas they enjoyed easy food from and attack again.
I've been in situations where I came across a bear that clearly wasn't food conditioned. Was in fact a bear with cubs. It seemed more curious about these weird two-legged animals but otherwise wasn't aggressive and slowly walked away.
But it's very rare that an American black bear will attack a human. Many seem to be predatory attacks and I can't think of anyone who wouldn't approbe of putting down such a bear.
I actually like bears. Seeing a bear in the wild was actually a life-affirming experience for me. However, I get that once a bear starts showing abberant behavior, it may not stop. For thos claiming this was "defensive" - that's just flat out wrong. A bear being defensive might be cornered and slash before running, but not leaving doesn't indicate a defensive behavior. Most of the time I've seen them just run away because they were avoiding conflict.
Do mitigating factors not matter to you? Yes, black bears are generally very timid. I see them from time to time in our area and they have never bothered me. But I've never let my dogs attack them. We have the right to self defense whether an animal or human attacks us but the bear should have that same right. He was provoked by an aggressive, unleashed dog and when something abnormal like this occurs don't expect "normal bear behavior."
seems to me if you don't want to be in a situation don't put youself in a situation kind of like if you are sitting in your dinning room eating and someone breaks into your home then prtect what is yours same witha bear he felt a threat and acted on it.Yes it was bad but leashes are for safety not punishment,people are all over this country being photographed trying to pet or feed a bear people wake up this aint Jelly stone and that aint Yogi and Boo boo
Dumb suburbanites come to these parks and don't know how to act.
I've seem them in my area of the Blue Ridge trying to photograph and pet lost cubs!!
Don't blame the bear for their stupidity.
Hope the couple are heavily fined.
Once a bear attacks and engages with humans, it is not scared of them and more attacks *will* happen. So there is no loss of human life it is in the best interest to euthanize the bear. Not enough details in this story about what happened to make a good determination of the dog and the picnicing couple.
Killing the bear is wrong! The idiotic couple should be punished. Having their dog off leash was wrong. We've taken most of the habitat from wild animals. Humans suck.
Do not euthanize the bear! We are visiting their home and should respect it! Keep your dog on a leash or leave them at home. This is the couples fault not the bears!
Unbelievable how shortsighted authorities are. This bear is perfectly normal and not more dangerous than other bears. Now, because of an out of control dog, and family, the bear has to pay with his life! Awful.
Maybe not allow pets in nationsl parks.
I don't think the bear should be euthanize. Sounds like the hikers weren't following protocol.The bear acted defensively. Not offensively.Killing an animal in the wild for behaving like a wild animal makes no sense. Let him live!!
Why put the bear down? He was defending hi.self from unleashed dog. The people were not severely harmed and the bear is not the criminal here. Leave the bear alone and ticket them
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