Press release:
Transylvania County, NC, June 14, 2016 – The Pisgah National Forest is warning visitors going to the Pink Beds in the Pisgah Ranger District to be on the look-out for black bears.
The warning comes after a recent bear encounter was reported by campers in the Pink Beds. The encounter resulted in minor property damage and no injuries. The campers reported that the bear rummaged through their belongings after they heard the bear and left the site. The campers also reported that their food was stored in the trunk of their car.
This time of the year black bears are opportunistically looking for food that campers and trail users bring on their trips. While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities.
To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the following:
- If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible.
- If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Get into a vehicle or a secure building.
- If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate.
Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing these additional safety tips:
- Do not store food in tents
- Properly store food and scented items like toothpaste by using a bear-proof container
- Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite
- Do not leave food unattended
- Never run away from a bear-back away slowly and make lots of noise
The large number of bear sightings and encounters in the past few years has led to required use of bear-proof canisters in the Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields areas. Backcountry users must use commercially-made canisters constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears.
For more tips, visit http://go.usa.gov/czWbW or go to www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc and click on “Learn about Bear Safety.”
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.