Forest Service Issues Warning about Black Bears in Shining Rock Wilderness

We received the following US Forest Service alert yesterday:

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. – The U.S. Forest Service is warning visitors to the Shining Rock Wilderness area of the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, to be on the look-out for black bears.

While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities.

The warning comes after several bear encounters were reported recently in Shining Rock Wilderness, located north of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Transylvania County. Minor property damage was reported. There were no injuries.

Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing the following safety tips:

• Do not store food in tents.
• Properly store food by hanging it in a tree or in another secure container.
• Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills or other areas of your campsite.
• Do not leave food unattended.

For more tips, visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, click on “Read about Bear Safety.”