Bear Encounters Close Trails in Great Smoky Mountains

0:00Two popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park just got shut down after aggressive black bear run-ins with hikers. Officials report more than 339 negative human-bearing counters over the past 10 years there, and this weekend saw bears grabbing. Backpacks and even chasing a group on Ramsey Cascades Trail. Earlier last weekend, things heated up on Abrams Falls Trail, too, with a bear biting one visitor who wandered into a closed zone. No serious injuries popped up from these latest scraps, but Rangers jumped in quick to handle three incidents each time. The park pulls in around 12 million visitors a year, making it the busiest in the U.S. and with a big bear population, close calls are bound to. Happen. Spring ramps up the action as mom bears and cubs hunt for scarce food and careless trash from folks only makes it worse. Rangers have Ramsey Cascades Trail and Ramsey Prong Road closed right now to watch the bear moves. Park rules say keep at least 150 feet back, or you risk fines and even a rest, feeding

1:03them could cost up to $5,000 and 6 months behind bars. Stay smart out there, keep your distance, and pack out your trash to let these bears do their thing in peace. That's your update from Durham News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the Story.