Bear Tears Family’s Tent, Attacks At Great Smoky Mountains: Reports

SOUTH CAROLINA, GA — A mother and her small child were injured by a bear while sleeping in a tent at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reported WHNS.

A family of five were sleeping in their tent at Elkmont Campground with their dog when a black bear tore open their tent around 5 a.m. Sunday. The bear scratched the mother and her 3-year-old daughter.

Related: Bear Warning: Visitors To NC National Parks Told To Be Alert

According to the park, the two survived the encounter, but sustained superficial lacerations to their heads, reported the Charlotte Observer.

The father scared the bear away after multiple attempts. The family left a note at the campground to report the incident and then left to seek medical attention.

Bear traps were set at the southwestern edge of the campground. The bear returned to the campsite the next day, “boldly entering the trap without wariness.” The bear was “(humanely) euthanized” Monday, after being deemed a threat to humans, park officials said.