TWRA answers public concerns over Sevier County bear situation
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has received numerous calls about its decision to euthanize a female black bear that injured an individual in Sevier County last Friday.
Bob Nichols, Regional Manager wanted to advise the public concerning TWRA?s decision.
?The problem with this and most bear problems in Tennessee is people, or rather what people do or do not do,? said Nichols. ?This particular bear was day active (not normal for a ?wild bear? especially with cubs), in the middle of a condominium complex, (not in a natural area at a natural time). This bear had all the characteristics of a bear that had been routinely fed by people. Bears under these conditions become habituated to people, and can and do become dangerous.
?While the individual who was hurt was acting improperly, the problem was caused by the people in the area feeding the bear to where it not only did not mind being around people, but actually went around people to get food.
?Feeding of bears, whether on purpose or by allowing them into garbage, will result in a bear becoming more aggressive towards people, and ultimately the bear suffers. In this case it was fortunate that the injury was not life-threatening. Had this been a child that approached the bear and her cubs, the situation could have been much worse.
?As for the bear having to be euthanized, we have to be concerned that this habituated bear may injure someone else. Our experience with black bears, and those of other State and Federal Agencies that manage bears, show that we are making the correct decision in this situation. To release a bear with such tendencies would be irresponsible upon the part of any public agency. There are no places in Tennessee that are large enough for a bear to be released and not be back around people in a few hours. There are no zoos, or other places that take problem black bears. Decisions to euthanize wildlife are not taken lightly by TWRA and its personnel. However, there are times when an animal is injured or it injuries someone, that the proper decision is to euthanize that animal. In this case, while it is not popular, it is the proper decision. The risk of this particular animal injuring someone else in the future is too great.
?At this point, the adult bear has not been captured and the cubs are being rehabilitated by a TWRA cooperator. Once the cubs are large enough, they will be released in bear habitat. TWRA wants to remind the public that bears are wild animals and need to be kept that way.?
(More ?Woods and Water,? plus the Southern Standard Fishing Report, coming in Sunday?s edition.)