A black bear that attacked a couple and their dog on the Blue Ridge Parkway was unrelenting in its efforts to get them, parkway officials said Friday.
The attack Wednesday evening, which occurred near the parkway's Folk Art Center that is located in "a very urban, populated part of Asheville," commenced after the couple's dog, which was unleashed, spotted the bear and ran toward it, barking, park staff have said. The couple, who were picnicking, received minor injuries trying to get their dog and themselves into the safety of their car.
Even then, the bear tried to get the couple after they were inside their car, said parkway spokesperson Leesa Brandon.
"The bear repeatedly attacked the car once the dog and couple were inside. Based on biologists' review, the attack on the car was a continued attempt to attack the people inside, and thus deemed aggressive and atypically bold," she told the Traveler in an email.
The bear possibly was agitated by the couple's dog, said a park press release Thursday.
Brandon said the couple's injuries included "bites and scratches to the head and hand," and one of the individuals dislocated a shoulder.
The spokesperson said the parkway has not had a history of bear attacks on visitors, but that "(B)ear activity has been increasing this year and we have had to take other preventative measures for public safety, including the temporary closing of Mount Pisgah Campground earlier this season when we had a bear successfully obtain a food reward from campers. This bear was captured and hazed, and no further problems have presented at Pisgah Campground."
Rangers were searching for the black bear, estimated to be around 200 pounds, involved in this incident. If found, it would be put down based on the aggressiveness of the attack, park officials have said. While the bear's sex was not known, no cubs were reported in the area, said Brandon.
Whether the couple is cited for having their dog, which was described as a "shepherd-type dog," off leash remains to be seen, she said.
"Any potential charges will not be finalized until our investigation is complete. As we are still trying to identify and isolate the bear involved, this may remain open for several days," Brandon said.
Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places
Comments
To date, humans were never known to have been invited by the bears to their native habitats.
My experience with black bears is primarily in Alaska and also, years ago, in the Shenandoah National Park. My expereience largely matches that of Wasidana Tsali and I agree with his or her comments.