|
|
Don't feed the bears Remember....don't feed the bears. Wildlife Officers have charged a woman from Virginia with a misdemeanor violation after she intentionally fed a black bear while on vacation in Gatlinburg. In a September 30 video that went viral on the social media platform TikTok, Kristin Hailee Farris, 21, Danville, VA , intentionally hand-fed what appears to be watermelon, chocolate, and other food to a black bear in Gatlinburg. The video is still live on the platform and has been viewed over 500,000 times. Farris has been served with a warrant charging her with Illegal Black Bear Feeding, a Class B Misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. She is required to return to Sevier Co. for booking. TWRA spokesperson Matthew Cameron says, "These types of actions spawned regulations in 2000 that prohibit anyone to feed a black bear or leave food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears. The regulations apply to a 6 sq. mi. area of Gatlinburg and are intended to create a buffer zone to deter bears from going further into the city if they aren't fed or can't get into garbage." "The overwhelming desire to have a close encounter with a black bear is strangely more powerful than common sense," says Sevier Co. Wildlife Sgt. David Sexton. "Many people intentionally feed bears with little regard for the dire consequences to the bears and humans they leave behind."
|
Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
|
|
|