Visiting family comes face to face with bear inside Gatlinburg cabin

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — While black bears are a common sight in Gatlinburg , most people don’t expect to see them in their kitchen. That became reality for one family Sunday morning.

“And I just thought, that’s, that can’t be — that’s a bear,” said Kiley Pickett-Suits.

Suits said she and her family were visiting from Alabama to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Volunteers this weekend, but left with a bear encounter they will never forget.

When she found a bear in their kitchen, she was the one to scare it away.

“I remembered somewhere hearing that if you see a bear not to run away, but to go towards it and act big and so that’s what I did,” she said. “I was like, ‘get out of here!’ And it was a nice, friendly bear. I mean, it just literally went on its way.”

Experts say you should not approach a bear under any circumstances and should leave the area by quietly moving away. Bearwise.org recommends the following actions if you encounter a black bear in a building, by a dumpster, or around a corner:

• Give the bear a clear escape route (do not corner it)
• Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear
• Do not lock the bear in a room

Making noise from a safe distance is recommended if you spot a bear in your backyard. While making yourself appear bigger is only advised if you are approached or followed by a bear.

She said after cooking they had left their door open to let out the smoke and get some fresh air. After everyone had walked away for a while she came back to see the bear at the dining table, and it took some food to go.

“We looked outside and it had the peanut butter,” she said. “And it also had a jelly spoon that we had left out and then we looked at the table and it had eaten my son’s breakfast.”

Once they knew they were safe, they took some photos and shared their experience on Facebook, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

“It was really, I mean, it was such a neat experience.” said Suits. “I’m really happy. We all are. My four-year-old, the only thing I worry about is he’s going to think that this is a normal thing. But everyone was so excited.”

Once the bear left, Suits said she was glad no one was hurt. Their neighbors later informed them that seeing this bear is common where they are staying.

Experts advise adherence to 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
• Alert neighbors to bear activity

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