GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The City of Gatlinburg has enhanced its commitment to educating residents and visitors about bear safety through various efforts and its participation on the Smokies BearWise® Task Force.
As a gateway community to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is home to a diverse wildlife population, including a significant number of black bears. Ensuring the safety of both bears and people is a top priority for the city.
New Signage
Earlier this week, the City installed signage to remind citizens and visitors that feeding bears is illegal inside the corporate limits of Gatlinburg and the need to secure trash to keep bears and individuals safe. These signs have been located at entrances to the City, including near Traffic Light No. 1, Traffic Light No. 10, the intersection of US Highway 321 and Buckhorn Road, and at the intersection of Buckhorn Road and Glades Road. The prohibition of feeding bears in Gatlinburg and the North Chalet Village Subdivision is enforced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s Proclamation 00-17.
Unsecured trash or non-compliance with the City’s animal-resistant container devices are violations of City Ordinances. Violations of the City Ordinance are subject to a $50 fine, which is set by the State Constitution, plus court costs, while the violation of the TWRA Proclamation is a Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by fines, as well as possible community service.
“The City asks that those in the animal-resistant container zone take efforts to comply with this Ordinance and that everyone adheres with securing their trash,” Gatlinburg Police Chief Ronnie Barrett said. “Violations of these Ordinances will be met with citations, if necessary.”
Educational Campaigns
The City of Gatlinburg has launched several educational campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of bear behavior and safety protocols. Earlier this week, the Gatlinburg Police and Fire Departments were involved in these initiatives:
· Police Department: Officers visited downtown businesses with handouts to remind owners and managers about the city’s animal-resistant container requirements.
· Fire Department: The department, which oversees the City’s Tourist Residency Program, visited property rental companies and individual rental owners to provide information on making their properties BearWise® and educating renters on bear safety.
Additionally, City utility customers will receive BearWise® information in their water and wastewater bills later this month. The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau has also distributed information to its members via email.
Investment in Bear Safety
In September 2023, the City invested $3 million in an Animal-Resistant Dumpster Program, purchasing over 460 dumpsters maintained by the City. The City Commission also approved a full-time employee in the 2023-24 Fiscal Year Budget to oversee the maintenance of these containers. A proposed capital project for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year Budget includes constructing a maintenance building for this program.
“The City and the Smokies BearWise® Taskforce have partnered in working on better ways to co-exist with our incredible black bears,” said Marlee Montgomery, Taskforce Facilitator. “The taskforce has been pleased with the City’s willingness to address the critical issue at hand; eliminating garbage as a food source, which is a vital element of reducing human and bear encounters.
“The City of Gatlinburg has already made a huge commitment towards being BearWise® last year by deciding to invest in the new bear resistant dumpsters. We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Gatlinburg on helping our residents and visitors live responsibly with black bears.”
Garbage Disposal Options
In addition to the City’s regular garbage collection from its animal-resistant dumpsters, performed by the Sanitation Department 364 days a year, residents can also dispose of garbage at the Heiden Drive collection center, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Animal-Resistant Container Zone
Since 1999, Gatlinburg and the TWRA have partnered to reduce human-bear encounters, co-funding a Bear Management Officer position and adopting Ordinance 2188. This ordinance established an Animal Resistant Garbage Device Zone requiring specific areas to use bear-resistant dumpsters and garbage cans. In September 2023, Ordinance 2602 expanded this requirement to additional areas within the city.
For a map identifying properties required to have animal-resistant receptacles, please click here to see a map identifying where these are required.
The requirement to have such a receptacle does not apply to containers that are located inside a structure such as a house, building, or other enclosed structure that does not allow entry by scavenging animals.
For questions about animal-resistant containers, please call the City of Gatlinburg Sanitation Department at (865) 436-5959.
BearWise Basics
The City also reminds citizens and visitors to follow the six BearWise Basics to reduce human-bear encounters.
· Never feed or approach bears.
· Secure food, garbage and recycling.
· Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
· Never leave pet food outside.
· Clean and store grills.
· Know what to do if you see a bear. Black bears are seldom aggressive and attacks are rare, but if you see a bear before it notices you stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment; then move away quietly in the opposite direction. If you encounter a bear that is aware of you, don’t run, as running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly. Make sure bears are not cornered and have an escape route during any encounters.
The City also encourages its visitors to follow the How to be a Bearwise Guest tips and for its lodging and rental property owners to follow the BearWise Lodging Safety Tips.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and Twitter.