Portion of Blue Ridge Parkway Shut Down After Visitors Attempted to Feed and Hold a Young Bear
A section of Blue Ridge Parkway closed due to visitors repeatedly feeding and trying to hold a young bear National Park Service shuts down area to ensure wildlife safety and discourage harmful interactions Help preserve wildlife by respecting their natural habitat
Officials have closed a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway following numerous reports of visitors feeding and trying to interact with a young bear in recent weeks, according to a news release by the National Park Service. The closure, which is in effect until further notice, spans an eight-mile stretch near Asheville, North Carolina, coinciding with the popular leaf-peeping season.
"When individuals purposefully lure bears with garbage and food, it can result in highly perilous scenarios. In this particular case, our goal is to provide the bear with an opportunity to lose interest in the vicinity before the situation becomes more severe, potentially endangering both visitors and the bear," stated Superintendent Tracy Swartout in the official statement.
According to the National Park Service, autumn is a critical period for bears as they dedicate up to 20 hours per day foraging for sustenance. From September to November, bears actively search for food to accumulate reserves for the approaching winter and hibernation.
A Mother Grizzly and her cub stroll through a picturesque meadow in the stunning Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States. (Photo by Will Powers/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Will Powers/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
How to survive a bear attack - or better yet, avoid one altogether
The National Park Service referenced its bear safety guidelines in the statement, emphasizing that it is against the law to intentionally approach a bear within 50 yards (150 feet) or any distance that agitates or disturbs the bear. Consequences for violations may include fines and imprisonment. The safety guidelines advise visitors against feeding bears and urge them to securely store their food.
Furthermore, the guidelines offer comprehensive instructions on how to handle encounters with black bears. This includes slowly retreating to increase the distance between yourself and the bear, as well as standing firm and displaying assertive behavior if a black bear continues to trail you persistently.
The Lane Pinnacle Overlook has recently experienced some interactions. The section that is closed extends from milepost 367.6 near the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to milepost 375.6 at Ox Creek Road.
According to the National Park Service, access to the popular hiking spot, Craggy Gardens recreational area, with its stunning sunrise and sunset views, is still possible via NC80 from the north. However, please note that the visitor center at milepost 364.5 will remain closed until the parkway reopens.
According to 2022 figures, the Blue Ridge Parkway, spanning over 469 miles from Waynesboro, Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains near Cherokee, North Carolina, is the most-visited among the National Park Service's 425 sites, with a staggering 15.71 million visits recorded last year.
CNNs Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.
