Tennessee Black Bear That Injured Amusement Park Employee Euthanized

The black bear that wandered into a concessions stand at Anakeesta, a Tennesse amusement park, and injured an employee has been euthanized, per the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Multiple other bears captured in the process were released.

The Incident:

• Date & Time: Thursday, around 9:30 p.m.
• Location: "Bear Can" concessions stand, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg, TN.
• Description: A black bear entered through the employee entrance, encountered several guests, and made contact with an employee, causing minor injuries.

Video Footage:

• URL - Shows the bear scavenging for food inside the concessions stand, holding food in its paw.

TWRA Response:

• Per TWRA Black Bear Coordinator Dan Gibbs:

  "TWRA does not enjoy having to euthanize any wildlife, especially bears...[The bear] was not a candidate for relocation...it made physical contact with an employee causing minor injuries."

• The agency is working with Anakeesta to improve safety and deter bears.
• Measures include electric fencing, "unwelcome mats," and improved food & garbage storage.

Anakeesta Response:

• President Bryce Bentz:

  “Our team is expanding our partnership with TWRA...We are making improvements to our park every day with guidance from local agencies on how to stay 'BearWise.'"

Public Message:

The Tennessee wildlife agency urges the public to properly dispose of food and garbage in areas with high wildlife concentration to prevent attracting bears to human spaces.

Location:

Anakeesta is located ~42 miles east of Knoxville, TN, ~220 miles from Nashville.