When park officials in Great Smoky Mountains National Park received word that a young black bear was trapped on a steep bank, a coordinated team of law enforcement, wildlife biologists, preventive search and rescue (PSAR) rangers, and maintenance crews stepped in to help.
In a recent Facebook post, the park said the bear was likely startled while trying to cross the busy Laurel Creek Road and scrambled up the bank to escape traffic. Visitors began to slow down or stop to watch the bear’s efforts, forming a “bear jam” that trapped the bear.
In order to help the bear get down safely, law enforcement managed traffic, biologists safely tranquilized the bear to prevent injury, and PSAR staff rappelled down the cliff to guide the bear into a backhoe bucket.
The park noted that they would usually let wildlife navigate their environment without interference, but in this case, where the circumstances were creating a dangerous situation for both the bear and visitors, action was necessary.
Ultimately, the bear was rescued without injury.
The park reminded visitors to observe wildlife from a distance and to avoid stopping in the roadway when viewing wildlife.
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