The close call came two days after a bear wandered through the town’s Christmas parade route.
GATLINBURG, TN — A man who walked up behind a black bear on a downtown Gatlinburg street Wednesday night and patted the animal on the rear sparked a brief charge before backing away unhurt, according to video circulating widely in the mountain tourist town.
The clip, filmed Dec. 10 near the busy parkway, shows the bear trying to move along the roadway as onlookers gather. The encounter followed a separate sighting on Dec. 8, when a bear wandered onto the city’s 50th annual Christmas parade route without incident. State and city officials said the back-to-back encounters underscore concerns about bears growing comfortable around people at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where roughly 1,500 black bears live. Authorities said harassing wildlife is illegal and warned that close interactions can lead to injuries — or to a bear being euthanized if it becomes food-conditioned.
In Wednesday’s clip, the man steps toward the bear and swats it once. The animal wheels and lunges twice, closing the space in a heartbeat as bystanders shout. The man retreats while the bear turns away and continues down the street. No injuries were reported, and the bear eventually left the immediate area, witnesses said. Traffic slows in the background as the scene unfolds under holiday lights and storefront signs. “It all happened so fast,” said Shawn Jones, who said he was nearby when the crowd gathered and the bear broke into a short charge. “People were yelling to back up.”
Wildlife officials said the behavior seen in both videos — the parade walk-through and the street confrontation — is a sign the bear or bears are comfortable navigating human spaces in search of food. Matt Cameron, a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency information specialist, said bears do not seek affection and respond to perceived threats or chances at an easy meal. “The difference between a bear and a dog is that the dog will continue to come around for your affection, even if there isn’t a food reward involved,” Cameron said. “Bears don’t have that same gene to approach for affection.” City guidance urges people to stay at least 150 feet from bears, never feed them and secure trash in bear-resistant containers. Officials did not identify the man in the video. It remains unknown whether he faces a citation.
Gatlinburg’s downtown sits at the park’s doorstep, where bear sightings are common from spring through the holidays as visitors fill sidewalks and restaurants. Earlier this month, a bear ambled along the cleared parade route as spectators watched from the curb; it left without approaching people. Past incidents in the Smokies — including viral clips of tourists edging too close to bears — have prompted repeated reminders that approaching or disturbing wildlife is prohibited. Park and city records note that bears that learn to associate humans with food can become aggressive or bold, raising risks for residents and visitors and sometimes forcing wildlife officers to relocate or euthanize the animal.
Authorities said they are reviewing the latest footage and plan to increase patrols in busy corridors as holiday crowds peak. City officials said sanitation crews and businesses will continue using bear-resistant cans around the parkway and side streets. TWRA officers said they would respond to additional sightings and evaluate whether the animal involved presents a continuing public safety issue. No charges had been announced as of Monday. Officials said any enforcement decisions would hinge on clear evidence of harassment or unsafe proximity, along with whether the bear’s recent behavior changes around people.
On the street Thursday, visitors traded stories about bear sightings between shops selling caramel corn and ornaments. “You come here hoping to see one — just not like that,” said Maria Ortega of Miami, standing outside a lodge where staff reminded guests to keep distance if a bear wanders by. A hotel desk clerk, Avery Dunn, said workers stepped to doorways to calm crowds when the bear passed. “Folks had their phones out. You could feel the excitement turn to worry the second it spun around,” Dunn said. Longtime resident Elaine McCarter shook her head at the replayed clip. “We live with bears,” McCarter said. “We also live with the consequences when they get used to us.”
As of Monday afternoon, the bear involved had not been located for relocation and no injuries were reported. Officials said they plan to keep extra patrols in place through the week and will release updates if enforcement or relocation is warranted.
Author note: Last updated December 15, 2025.