A black bear was caught on video strolling across the street in Gatlinburg, seemingly unbothered by the crowds of people around it.
The video, taken by Jenn Marshall, was taken the night of Sept. 1 as Gatlinburg tourists - and the bear - wandered through downtown.
“I captured this video of the bear while my husband and I were enjoying an evening in downtown Gatlinburg. We had just parked and were walking to Shamrock Pub when we spotted the bear,” Marshall told Storyful.
Marshall said she thought it was funny she had spent most of her day hiking but then spotted a bear downtown. She added she wished people would stop feeding and chasing bears since that's “why they come into town.”
The city of Gatlinburg and participating partners have worked to
teach visitors bear safety through the Smokies BearWise Task Force, but bears still periodically appear in the busy tourist town - and in subsequent videos on social media.
What to do if you see a black bear in Gatlinburg
Most bears avoid humans, but they can become unpredictable and dangerous, especially if human food is involved.
If you see a black bear in East Tennessee, do not approach it. For your safety and the safety of the animal, it is important that you keep your distance.
BearWise.org recommends a few basic guidelines to help keep people safe in a black bear encounter, depending on where you see the bear.
- If the bear is indoors or near a dumpster or building, back away and give it a clear escape route. If it's inside, leave doors open.
- If the bear is in your backyard, remain a safe distance away and make loud noises to scare it away. Be sure it's gone before letting any pets out or removing items that might have attracted it.
- If the bear is in the woods, back away slowly and quietly. Never run, as that might trigger the bear's chase response.
- If you are approached by the bear, stand your ground and try to appear as large as possible. Make loud noises.
- If a black bear charges you, use bear spray. If it makes contact, fight back using your surroundings. Do not play dead.
Devarrick Turner contributed bear safety information for this article.
Afton Pratt covers trending and breaking news for The Knoxville News Sentinel and Tennessee. She can be reached at ampratt@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Watch this unbothered black bear stroll through downtown Gatlinburg
