TWRA confirms euthanzied bear responsible for Gatlinburg attack

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - A man vacationing at a Gatlinburg cabin was injured by a black bear that entered the home in the middle of the night on Saturday, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

TWRA officers said the incident occurred in downtown Gatlinburg on Red Bud Lane around 11:00 p.m. A man staying in the rental cabin walked into the kitchen to find that a bear had entered the home through a set of locked, but not dead-bolted, French doors, a release stated.

The bear charged the man and swatted at him, causing injuries to his face and the top of his head, TWRA officials said. While retreating to the bedroom, the bear scratched him across his back.

The man was able to lock himself in the room and call 911, according to a release. Afterward, he was driven to a local hospital by his family where he was treated and released.

Officials set a trap at the scene and a bear fitting the description was caught and euthanized Sunday afternoon, according to TWRA. The bear was a 2 to 3-year-old female without cubs. Officials said it weighed nearly 210 pounds.

Hair samples from the bear were sent for a DNA analysis and its claws were swabbed for human hemoglobin testing.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, TWRA wildlife officials announced that the results from the DNA testing confirmed the bear trapped and euthanized was the one responsible for the attack. In addition, rabies testing was conducted and came back negative.

The Gatlinburg Police Department investigation concluded there was no damage to the French Doors where the bear entered.

“The bear did not break through the doorway but was able to push the doors open that were not properly secured,” a release stated. “TWRA advises anyone living or vacationing in bear country to securely lock doors and windows to homes and vehicles and to not leave food visible or accessible to bears.”

Wildlife officials said that bears comfortable around humans and unnatural foods sometimes enter homes, vehicles or other human-inhabited areas in search of food.

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