Eight-Mile Section of Blue Ridge Parkway Closed After Multiple Attempts by Visitors to Feed and Hold Baby Bear

Park officials close popular North Carolina tourist destination to protect wildlife and people, as risky behavior by visitors risks escalating into dangerous situations.

The National Park Service has temporarily closed an eight-mile section of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway following multiple incidents of visitors trying to feed and hold a baby bear.
Park Superintendent Tracy Swartout stated that this precautionary measure is being taken to ensure the safety of both the bear and the visitors, aiming to let the bear lose interest in the area before dangerous situations arise.
The closed segment stretches from milepost 367.6 near the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to milepost 375.6 at Ox Creek Road, including the visitor center at milepost 364.5.
Experts warn that fall is a crucial time for bears as they forage for food up to 20 hours a day in preparation for hibernation, making them more likely to venture into areas frequented by humans if food is made readily available.
The incident is particularly concerning as it can interfere with the bear's natural diet and disrupt the wildlife's normal behaviors. Continuous interference could move bears to regularly enter human areas, leading to potential conflicts.