They were mischievous and nosed their way into our hearts.
The bears of East Tennessee captivated millions through their adventures this year. Bystanders captured viral videos of bears trying to shop at an antique store, looking for snacks at a restaurant and so much more.
Here’s a look at the most memorable Tennessee black bear moments of 2024.
No 5. 80-year-old employee stops this black bear
This bear was trying to go on a shopping spree!
But thanks to Brenda Freshour, better known in the Greeneville community as Ms. Brenda, the unwanted customer never made it into Back Porch Antiques.
On June 4, Freshour, 80, noticed traffic outside the store had slowed. “Being a little nosy, I went to the door to see if there’d been an accident up the road. So I opened the door slightly and looked out, and there was this big furry creature coming toward me,” she described to owner E.J. Swatsell in a YouTube video posted by Back Porch Antiques.
She thought it was a dog, but it turned out to be a black bear! Ms. Brenda blocked the door. Unsuccessful in his venture, the bear left soon after.
No 4. This bear didn’t have a reservation
No bear-ritos here!
A black bear is seen trying to enter No Way Jose’s Cantina in Gatlinburg on Oct. 25. Before he could get his paws onto some chips and queso, this video captures a restaurant employee shooing the bear away.
The bear makes a big leap to a nearby tree, climbs down and leaves empty-handed.
No. 3 A bear’s search for paw-secco
Was he looking for a ca-bear-net or a paw-secco?
A viral video shows a black bear entering a Gatlinburg wine shop on Nov. 15. Bystanders watch as the bear walks through the shop and topples over a display.
The video was caught at Tennessee Homemade Wines location on the Gatlinburg Strip, just miles away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
No. 2 The great Gatlinburg snack break-in
Talk about a snack break (in).
On July 29, a black bear was captured on video casually searching for food inside a silver SUV in a Gatlinburg hotel parking lot.
But, instead of breaking the car window, the bear just opens the door to let himself in. (very demure, very mindful.)
The owner of the car can be seen honking the horn in effort to scare the animal, but it remains completely unfazed. To help the women, witnesses behind the camera throw food into the parking lot and lure the bear out of the vehicle.
While the bear is distracted, the two women make their escape and lock their doors. The video shows the bear sticking around in the parking lot, hopping into a nearby trailer in search of other food options.
No. 1 The bear-y big sweet tooth
This bear sure loves sweets!
A viral video taken in November shows a black bear indulging in candies at Sweet!, a candy shop in downtown Gatlinburg. After wandering into the store, he chows down on the available treats.
Meanwhile, store employees and even Gatlinburg police officers try to scare the bear away. However, their efforts fail to coax the bear away from the candy. Eventually, the bear is spooked and leaves.
Safety tips: What should you do if you see a black bear
If you see a bear, the Parks Service advises you to be calm and remain watchful. Never approach the bear and do not allow the bear to approach you.
If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior, you are too close.
Here are some additional safety tips, according to the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Do not approach within 50 yards or any distance that disturbs a bear. Use binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view animals.
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Make sure the bear is aware of your presence by yelling and making noises to frighten the bear and encourage it to leave.
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Bring children and pets indoors. Groups should stay together, especially children.
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Keep dogs leashed at all times. Don’t let your dog harass a bear. If you see a bear, move away quickly to minimize barking and avoid a confrontation.
USA Today Network reporters Shamani Salahuddin and Hayden Dunbar contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Viral Tennessee black bear videos of 2024 from Gatlinburg, Greeneville
