Wildlife Tragedy in the Mountains

A pair of tragic animal encounters has been reported in Tennessee. Should you be concerned about your next vacation?

Two incidents in the news recently have served as sobering reminders about observing recommended practices and exercising due care in the mountains of Tennessee.

One incident involved a black bear that had to be shot and killed after invading a man’s home in Sevierville. The other saw a hiker die after a rattlesnake bite at Savage Gulf State Park. The park is located in the southern portion of the state right on the border of what is considered East and Middle Tennessee.

Both incidents serve to remind us that while the mountains – and their wildlife – are beautiful, there are dangers. And while we exercise due caution and care, sometimes circumstances and bad luck can lead to unfavorable outcomes.

Rattlesnake Bites and Hikers

Rattlesnake bites are rare in the mountains and – in most case – are not fatal. Earlier this summer, a teenager fishing in the Pisgah National Forest was bitten by a timber rattler. Luckily, his companion had cell service. As a result, a crew of rescuers arrived via a National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter flying from near Charlotte. They were able to pick up the younger fisherman and fly him to Johnson City for treatment.

What happened to the hiker who died in the Savage Gulf State Park?

Savage park is a massive wild area covering 19,000 acres in Grundy and Sequatchie counties, located Northwest of Chattanooga. The park is known for the Great Stone Door. This “impressive cliff line” overlooks the Savage Gulf Natural Area, a massive and wild valley that used to be part of South Cumberland State Park. The Stone Door – for the record – gets its name from a top-to-bottom crack in the cliff that resembles a door left slightly ajar. The park is known for its rock climbing, camping, swimming, picnicking and hiking.

The hiker – who reportedly had picked up the snake – was bitten on the hand. Why the hiker had picked up the snake, is unclear. While it is believed the snake was a timber rattler, pygmy rattlers also live in the park. They are two of the four types of venomous snakes in Tennessee. The list also includes copperheads and cottonmouth, aka water moccasin.

Rescuers reached the hiker about a half mile down the trail. They started CPR and rushed him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The bite of a rattlesnake – while dangerous and potentially deadly if not treated – does not normally work that quickly on its victim. It is believed the hiker may have had an allergic reaction which hastened his demise.

How does this snake incident affect your trip to the mountains?

While tragic, neither this particular incident – nor the one in the Pisgah National Forest should cause too much concern for your next trip to the mountains. As always, hiking in the Smokies and beyond should be done with a measure of care. The right equipment, including hiking boots, is necessary.

If you’re concerned about snake bites, snake bite proof clothing is available. Rattlesnake sightings in the mountains are rare. But hikers should take extra care when stepping over a fallen, dead log as rattlesnakes like to hide under the protection. Many snake bites are caused when a hiker inadvertently steps on the snake.

Of course, handling a wild snake – of basically any wild animal is not advised. We do not know the circumstances which led this hiker to pick up the snake. So, we will not judge. But, in general terms handling a poisonous snake is a bad idea.

A Bear Enters a Home

A different type of tragedy unfolded recently in Sevier County. An elderly man asleep in his home was awakened by a black bear – a yearling male – rummaging around in his kitchen. The bear had apparently entered an outbuilding on the property and left the home when confronted. But it would not leave the property.

Fearing for his life, the man shot and killed the bear with a shotgun. Because of the nature of the circumstance – and because any bear that enters a home would be hunted and put down by state officials – there were no repercussions for the man who killed the bear.

“This homeowner did not want to take this action but felt it was necessary to protect his safety,” TWRA officials said. “Under TWRA’s human–bear conflict matrix, a bear that enters a residence would be captured and humanely euthanized.”

Officials noted that bear activity in the area had been high. Many homes in the area did not have properly secured trash. Accessible trash leads to bears being more aggressive in hunting discarded food.

What does the bear encounter mean for your trip to the mountains?

Generally nothing as long as you are respectful and smart. Bear attacks are rare. Of course, it’s helpful to make sure trash is properly disposed of and food is kept in a manner that doesn’t attract bears. Note: Putting food in your car is not enough. Bears can get in your car. However, we should note that visitors can’t control trash receptacles at rental properties. Or the results that have occurred when previous visitors have left food out – by accident or intentionally – which attracted the bears.

Frankly there are quite a few videos on the interwebs of people at rental properties not being concerned enough about bear activity nearby. Frequently, they’re so delighted they see a bear, they throw good sense and judgment out the window. It seems the bear population in the region is growing – a perception that may be colored by the advance of the smart phone and social media. So, it is important that if you encounter a bear – especially if that bear is outside its normal habitat – you should give it as wide a berth as possible.

What do you think about these tragic encounters? Let us know in the comments.