Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee have been warned against feeding bears after a series of incidents. The National Park Service (NPS) reported an increase in such cases, with one visitor receiving a citation for feeding a mother bear and her cubs, a federal offence.
Feeding bears can lead to fines of up to $5,000 (approximately £4,000) or up to six months in jail. The NPS emphasised that this behaviour endangers both humans and bears, potentially causing the animals to become conditioned to human food, lose their fear of people, and act aggressively.
Bear activity is currently high due to a scarcity of natural food sources and peak breeding season from May to August. Mother bears are also separating from their 18-month-old cubs, increasing the likelihood of human encounters.
The park is home to around 1,900 black bears, with about 12 million visitors annually. The NPS urged people to stay at least 150 feet away from bears, store food securely, and carry bear spray. If attacked by a black bear, visitors are advised to fight back vigorously.
