A concessions stand worker at Anakeesta, a mountaintop adventure park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, narrowly escaped serious damage after a startling encounter with a black bear last week. The bear approached the employee at the concessions stand, aptly named Bear Can, through an off-limits employee entrance.
Black Bear comes dangerously close to the park employee
The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Thursday when the bear began exiting the stand just as the employee was entering. A now-viral video captures the bear rummaging through food behind the counter before coming face-to-face with the worker. Both the bear and the employee appeared equally startled, with the bear lunging at her. Despite the brief physical contact, the employee emerged uninjured. She quickly rushed inside and secured the door as the bear fled the scene.
Park’s response and statement
Following the incident, Anakeesta Park issued a statement: “At that point, the bear and employee made brief physical contact. The employee in the video was not seriously injured and opted not to receive medical attention.” The park emphasized its commitment to providing a unique outdoor adventure in the Smokies and encouraged guests to enjoy bear sightings from a safe distance.
Safety measures and wildlife coexistence
Austin Martin, a spokesperson for the park, explained that Anakeesta staff are well-acquainted with bears due to the park’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on three sides. “Bears are a big part of the magic in the Great Smoky Mountains,” Martin said. He added, “The Anakeesta team works diligently to create a safe space to co-exist with the native wildlife,” according to USA Today.
