Bear euthanized after Anakeesta encounter, business implements new safety measures

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — A black bear has been euthanized following an incident at the Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park in Gatlinburg last week and the business is implementing new safety measures to deter future encounters.

A bear was seen inside a concession stand at the popular attraction on Thursday, June 20 around 9:30 p.m.. Video filmed by Zachary Recchia shows the animal at the concession stand counter and lunging at an employee when it attempted to leave through a doorway.

A release from Anakeesta said the bear and employee “made brief physical contact.”

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said Monday that a bear matching the description of the bear seen on video was caught and has been euthanized. Several other bears, including a female with four cubs, were caught and released.

“TWRA does not enjoy having to euthanize any wildlife, especially bears and we don’t do it indiscriminately,” says Dan Gibbs, TWRA Black Bear Coordinator. “We utilize what we call the “Bear Conflict Matrix,” which was developed by wildlife professionals as a guide for addressing human/bear conflict. In this incident, the bear entered a concession stand with humans present and made physical contact with an employee causing minor injuries. Unfortunately, this bear was not a candidate for relocation.”

Anakeesta and TWRA also announced new safety measures at the park. Temporary electric fencing and electrified “unwelcome mats” will be used when the park is closed to guests. Steel cages to secure concession stand doors and contain garbage before it is taken to trash compactors have also been ordered.

“Our team is expanding our partnership with TWRA by implementing new initiatives to keep bears and people safe during their Smoky Mountain vacations,” said Bryce Bentz, Anakeesta President. “We are making improvements to our park every day with guidance from local agencies on how to stay ‘BearWise’.”

This is the second bear and human encounter caught on camera in the Smokies Mountains in the past week. Another video shared on social media shows a bear approaching a woman holding a child outside the Bearskin Lodge in Gatlinburg on June 18. The TWRA said that if the bear seen on the video is captured, it will also be euthanized.

For more information on how to live responsibly around bears, visit BearWise.org.