SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says 60 black bears have been humanely euthanized in Sevier County this year after becoming involved in significant conflicts with people.
According to Matthew Cameron, a public information officer with TWRA, the euthanized bears had exhibited behaviors that posed public safety concerns. Those incidents included bears breaking into vehicles, entering homes and structures, and even entering buildings occupied by people.
“This is not normal bear behavior and poses a public safety risk,” Cameron said.
Wildlife officials say the issue is especially challenging in Sevier County because of the area’s unusually dense black bear population combined with millions of annual visitors and the close proximity between residential areas and bear habitat.
Cameron explained that numerous factors influence bear behavior and conflict levels from year to year, including natural food availability, weather conditions, birth rates, the number of young bears dispersing into new territories, and tourism activity.
Sevier County, home to popular destinations including Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains, has long experienced frequent human-bear encounters. However, wildlife officials note that Tennessee is not alone in seeing a rise in bear activity.
According to TWRA, wildlife agencies in at least 15 states have reported increases in bear-related calls and incidents compared to the previous year. Officials have pointed to drought conditions and changes in natural food sources as possible contributors to the increase in bear encounters.
Despite the high number of bear deaths this year, officials say efforts to reduce conflicts are continuing. One of the biggest investments came from the City of Gatlinburg, which spent approximately $3 million in 2024 to install more than 460 bear-resistant dumpsters throughout the city.
TWRA says the program has significantly reduced access to garbage in many areas, but some bears that had become accustomed to obtaining food from people have shifted to other sources. Officials say bears are increasingly targeting construction dumpsters, trash left in pickup trucks, and garbage generated by cabin-cleaning services.
Wildlife experts continue to encourage residents and visitors to secure trash, remove food attractants, lock vehicles, and never feed bears. They say preventing bears from associating humans with food remains the most effective way to reduce dangerous encounters and avoid the need for future euthanizations.
TWRA is continuing to evaluate bear conflict trends across East Tennessee and gather data comparing recent years to determine what additional measures may be needed.
