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Rangers euthanize bear after finding it scavenging on human remains in Great Smoky Mountains National Park [NC]
WATE TV ^ | September 12, 2020 | Caleb Wethington

Posted on 09/12/2020 5:55:09 PM PDT by buckalfa

SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. (WATE) — Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports that rangers had to euthanize a bear after finding it scavenging on human remains that were reported by backpackers near Hazel Creek Trail and Backcountry Campsite 82 on Friday.

GSMNP officials report that on Friday afternoon, backpackers found human remains across the creek with a bear scavenging in the area, and they left to get cell coverage to report the incident to authorities right away.

Rangers and wildlife officers rushed to the scene after communication staff received the report just after 7 p.m.

When staff arrived at Backcountry Campsite 82 shortly after midnight, they confirmed the report of a deceased adult male; they also found a bear actively scavenging on the remains and euthanized the bear.

Rangers are working to notify next of kin, and as of right now the cause of death is unknown and this case remains under investigation.

GSMNP says that Back Country Campsite 82 and Hazel Creek Trail will remain closed until further notice between the juncture with Cold Springs Gap Trail and Welch Ridge Trail.


TOPICS: Cheese, Moose, Sister; Local News; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bear; bearwithme; humanremains; smokies; yikes
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What a horrible way to go. Prayers for the victim's soul and his family. The story does beg a couple of questions though. Was the incident a clever way to cover up a murder? Was the victim a slower runner than the other backpackers?
1 posted on 09/12/2020 5:55:09 PM PDT by buckalfa
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To: buckalfa

Bears are nature’s clean up crew.


2 posted on 09/12/2020 5:56:27 PM PDT by captain_dave
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To: captain_dave

Bear probably thought it was his lucky day, and winds up getting whacked for his troubles...


3 posted on 09/12/2020 5:58:18 PM PDT by who knows what evil? (Yehovah saved more animals than people on the ark...siameserescue.org)
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To: buckalfa
"slower runner..."

Gun shot to the foot/knee?

4 posted on 09/12/2020 5:59:13 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure)
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To: Deaf Smith

I don’t envy the coroner who gets this job.


5 posted on 09/12/2020 6:06:32 PM PDT by miserare ( Respect for life--life of all kinds-- is the first principle of civilization.~~A. Schweitzer.)
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A good metaphor for a sports writer...


6 posted on 09/12/2020 6:09:01 PM PDT by Gene Eric (On Don't be a statist!)
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To: Deaf Smith

Not to worry the dead guy will still vote for the Democrats in the next 47 presidential elections.


7 posted on 09/12/2020 6:09:13 PM PDT by Fai Mao (There is no justice until The PIAPS is legally executed)
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To: buckalfa

Cleanup on Trail 8...


8 posted on 09/12/2020 6:19:18 PM PDT by rexthecat
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To: buckalfa

This bear may have just been scavenging remains of a person who died of natural causes. Not much way to tell now.

I once worked as a biologist for three years in a National Park. My job typically involved working in wilderness areas. I often worked alone. I saw hundreds of black bears. The biggest predictor of bear habitat in the eastern U.S. is an area that doesn’t have humans in large numbers. Bears that aren’t acclimated to humans (repeat, aren’t acclimated to humans) will almost always run when they see people. Out of the hundreds of black bears that I saw in those three years, only three worried me. I was charged once. I also had the largest black bear that I had ever seen (easily 500 pounds plus and obviously aged) deliberately change its course to come in my direction before eventually opting to move elsewhere. My biggest fear, though, was when I was followed by a bear at fairly close range for approximately six miles in the most remote part of the park. Definitely not typical bear habitat.

Over 99% of bears will not bother you. In fact, they will typically run from you. However, that one percent...


9 posted on 09/12/2020 6:19:20 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
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To: miserare

“I don’t envy the coroner who gets this job.”

It’s a grizzly job, but he’s used to it.


10 posted on 09/12/2020 6:19:46 PM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

“This bear may have just been scavenging remains of a person who died of natural causes.”

Covid - it was what killed the bear, too.


11 posted on 09/12/2020 6:21:01 PM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands
Definitely not typical bear habitat.

Should be Definitely not typical bear behavior.
12 posted on 09/12/2020 6:21:39 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
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To: buckalfa
An old hunter's saying:

"Sometimes you eat the bear..."

13 posted on 09/12/2020 6:21:40 PM PDT by ZOOKER (Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

Thanks for that report. I’m curious, did you carry anything for self defense?


14 posted on 09/12/2020 6:25:50 PM PDT by deks
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To: deks

No. I sometimes do now when in remote areas.


15 posted on 09/12/2020 6:27:12 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
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To: buckalfa

As an aside, I don’t know offhand exactly where Backcountry Campsite 82 is, but I do know that Hazel Creek is in one of the most remote areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You don’t get there by accident. Unless you take a boat across Fontana Lake, it is at least a ten mile hike.


16 posted on 09/12/2020 6:30:43 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

Funny story - my mother-in-law’s house is in an area of regular bear traffic. One day my daughter was staying over, sitting out at the picnic table reading and a VERY large black bear cake sauntering through the yard. My daughter froze but was with it enough to call into the house to my mother-in-law. She came out, looked at the bear and simply told it to “GIT!”. Off it went.


17 posted on 09/12/2020 6:32:32 PM PDT by Spacetrucker (George Washington didn't use his freedom of speech to defeat the British - HE SHOT THEM .. WITH GUNS)
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To: who knows what evil?

Crunchy outside, with a soft chewy treat in the middle

And also whatever was in the backpack


18 posted on 09/12/2020 6:37:19 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: buckalfa
"Rangers are working to notify next of kin."

Of the bear?

Might be tough, the article said there was poor cell phone service.

19 posted on 09/12/2020 6:38:11 PM PDT by Eagles6
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

I always have multiple options with when in state parks


20 posted on 09/12/2020 6:38:11 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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