Massive 500-Pound Black Bear Transported Away From Nearby Tennessee College Campus

Am I living a charmed life or an uncharmed life because I've never had any kind of an encounter with a bear? Plenty of friends have drawn their attention in the Smokies. My late cousin had to shoot one that wandered into his yard and barreled right toward him.

Bears in Gatlinburg

But not me. I wouldn't mind an experience like the former; I'll pass on the latter. Seriously, the closest I've come, I guess, was the warning on the dumpster outside our condo in Gatlinburg. But I wouldn't expect that to count.

Here's the thing. We've all seen those Gatlinburg videos featuring our ursine friends walking among the tourists. I imagine it's a very cool thing to happen and something visitors can add to a "bucket list," perhaps. This happens because black bears, because of their proximity to populated areas, can become comfortable with their surroundings and with humans nearby. That's not necessarily a desirable situation.

500-Pound Bear Transported Away from Tennessee College

They know that all too well in Greeneville, Tennessee, where a 500-pound black bear had to be transported away from its makeshift home near Tusculum College. In that environment, the creature had been habituated to human food that shouldn't be in its diet. Consequently, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had to step in.

Conflict Black Bears

Known as "conflict black bears" because of the threats they pose to nearby human populations and because of the human food sources to which they have become accustomed, tasks like the one above aren't as uncommon as you might think.

Should you encounter a bear, remember what this backpacker says in this presentation...

And, although it might be your first instinct, never run if you encounter a bear.