Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says officers had to put down three bears over the weekend because they caused extensive nuisance issues as well as exhibited aggressive behavior toward people.
Officers say the bears had torn off a screen from a man's home and had chased him inside. A second incident happened in the same area where officers say the bears chased a few construction workers. Officers also said the bears have also damaged multiple vehicles.
Officers say one sow and two yearlings were trapped somewhere behind the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg on Saturday. Officers contacted the National Park Service to help assist with euthanization.
TWRA officials also want to stress the importance of not feeding the bears as it habituates them to persistently seek people as a source of food. Those bears can lose their natural fear of human which means they can become aggressive when they come into contact with humans.
Officials also say to keep car doors locked, windows rolled up and to not leave food inside your vehicle. Park rangers also advise those who visit parks and maybe encounter bears to give those bears 50 yards or 150 feet of space.
For more information on the best habits to keep while out and about in the Smokies and to protect yourself (and the bears), you can find an extensive black bear guide from the GSMNP by clicking here.