‘Aggressive bear activity’ closes trails, campsites in Smokies

ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting
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GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Select campsites and hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been closed due to “aggressive bear activity.”

WKRN News 2 reports that a hiker was followed by a bear on a trail near the entrance of the park last week, despite efforts to stay away from the animal.

Officials say this is not typical black bear behavior. The bears are usually intimidated by humans and keep their distance.

Attacks are rare, but a schoolteacher was killed by a bear in the Smokies in 2000. No attacks have been reported this year.

Park officials say the bears are most active in the early morning and late evening during spring and summer. About 1,500 bears live in the park.

See a full list of closures here.