GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A black bear running through a busy parking lot in downtown Gatlinburg prompted shoppers and other pedestrians to scramble for safety after the animal entered a commercial area frequented by tourists, according to witness video and wildlife officials.
Video recorded on July 18 and released this week showed people rushing toward parked vehicles as the bear crossed a parking lot near River Road before moving away from the area. The footage captured several individuals running while others sought shelter inside vehicles as the animal passed through.
The person who recorded the video, Lara Bynum, told Storyful she heard people screaming from her nearby balcony and looked outside to see the bear moving through the parking lot. She said she was particularly concerned after observing one individual remain outside a vehicle while attempting to photograph the animal at close range. According to Bynum, the bear later crossed the street and stopped at a nearby river before leaving the area.
ABC News also reported that the encounter sent shoppers fleeing to their cars and highlighted footage showing one man appearing to approach the bear too closely in an apparent attempt to take a photograph.
The incident comes as wildlife officials continue urging residents and visitors in East Tennessee to avoid approaching black bears, which are commonly found in and around the Great Smoky Mountains. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has repeatedly warned that people should give bears a clear escape route, maintain a safe distance and never attempt to feed or closely photograph them because such behavior increases risks to both people and wildlife.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park also advises visitors to secure food and scented items in locked vehicles, dispose of trash properly and avoid actions that can cause bears to associate humans with food. Park officials say approaching or feeding bears can contribute to dangerous encounters and may ultimately threaten the animals' survival if they become habituated to people.
Bear sightings in and around Gatlinburg are not uncommon because the city borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which supports a large population of American black bears. Wildlife authorities have said most bears seek to avoid people and typically move on without incident when given space.
No injuries to people or the bear were reported in connection with the parking lot encounter, and the animal was seen leaving the area on its own, according to witness accounts.
