Current:Home > Contact-usVideo shows people feeding bears from balcony of Smoky Mountain lodge, violating law-InfoLens
Video shows people feeding bears from balcony of Smoky Mountain lodge, violating law
View Date:2024-12-23 17:08:45
'Please do not feed the bears.'
The signs are posted throughout America's National Parks as well as well as other protected areas nationwide.
But that didn't stop a group of people from disobeying the law in East Tennessee.
Footage shot June 25 by Michelle Payne shows people purposely tossing food to a family of bears behind the Sidney James Lodge in downtown Gatlinburg, also called the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It was not immediately known if city officials cited the violators.
Video obtained by USA TODAY shows a group of unidentified people − including some young children − on a balcony dropping snacks from a lower floor of the mountain lodge to the ground below.
Payne said a police officer came by and scared the bears off with a siren but the animals returned later in search of more food.
USA TODAY has reached out to the lodge and the Gatlinburg Police Department.
Bear cub pulled from tree for selfie:No charges filed in case
Violators who feed bears face up to $5K fine, jail time
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal.
In addition to citations for feeding bears, under Gatlinburg city law, people can be cited for littering and improper food storage. Violators face up to a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail if convicted.
In the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, visited by more than 13 million people last year, it's also illegal to touch, disturb, or willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards, or any distance that disturbs the animal.
Don't feed the bears: For your protection and the bears'
Avoiding feeding bears is for both human protection and the animals, experts say.
People should avoid feeding wildlife because the animals may become "aggressive toward people."
Experts also recommend people keep food and garbage packed while they are not using the items.
Contributing Kayla Jimenez.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (4754)
Related
- Anti-abortion advocates press Trump for more restrictions as abortion pill sales spike
- Hurricane Ernesto is hundreds of miles from US. Here's why East Coast is still in peril.
- What do grocery ‘best by’ labels really mean?
- Disney dropping bid to have allergy-death lawsuit tossed because plaintiff signed up for Disney+
- US Election Darkens the Door of COP29 as It Opens in Azerbaijan
- Lainey Wilson’s career felt like a ‘Whirlwind.’ On her new album, she makes sense of life and love
- The top 10 Heisman Trophy contenders entering the college football season
- Georgia sheriff’s deputy shot while serving a search warrant
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- Arizona judge to announce winner of Democratic primary recount for US House race
Ranking
- Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
- Matt Gaetz and Rick Scott face challengers in Florida primaries
- Powerball winning numbers for August 17 drawing: Jackpot rises to $35 million
- 'Tiger King' made us feel bad. 'Chimp Crazy' should make us feel worse: Review
- Giuliani’s lawyers after $148M defamation judgment seek to withdraw from his case
- Aces coach Becky Hammon says Dearica Hamby's mistreatment allegations 'didn't happen'
- Judge knocks down Hunter Biden’s bid to use Trump ruling to get his federal tax case dismissed
- Haitian ex-President Martelly hit with U.S. sanctions, accused of facilitating drug trade
Recommendation
-
Today's Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb: Everything to Know About the Beloved Anchor
-
Supreme Court keeps new rules about sex discrimination in education on hold in half the country
-
Rosie O’Donnell’s Son Blake O'Donnell Marries Teresa Garofalow Westervelt
-
GOP-led challenge to voting by mail rejected by New York’s top court
-
‘Maybe Happy Ending’ review: Darren Criss shines in one of the best musicals in years
-
Extreme heat takes a toll at Colorado airshow: Over 100 people fall ill
-
Over 165,000 pounds of Perdue chicken nuggets and tenders recalled after metal wire found
-
The Bachelor’s Madison Prewett Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Grant Troutt