GALLATIN, Tenn. — A juvenile black bear that had been roaming through neighborhoods in the Gallatin area over the past several days was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle early this morning on Vietnam Veterans Parkway (Highway 386) between Exits 12 and 14. The bear’s body was confirmed by aerial footage from Sky5, resting along the shoulder of the roadway.
Several drivers reported seeing the bear shortly before the incident, and law enforcement quickly responded to the scene. At this time, there is no word on who struck the animal, and no damaged vehicle was found in the immediate area.
The bear’s presence had drawn attention, concern, and affection from the community. Many worried exactly this kind of tragedy would occur, given the heavy traffic and lack of intervention. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) had been aware of the bear’s presence and monitoring its movements but did not attempt to tranquilize or relocate the animal.
In response to a flood of public questions and frustration, the TWRA released a statement explaining their decision:
“We are just as disappointed by this as all of the commenters here… but relocation is not the magical solution it appears to be. We did research with UT that found more than half the bears we relocate die — often by getting hit by cars while trying to get back to where we removed them from. As the bear population continues to grow (which is great news for conservation), their territory will continue to expand toward Middle Tennessee. It’s important that we all do our part to let wildlife be wild and coexist with nature.”
TWRA emphasized the importance of BearWise education, especially as sightings increase in Middle Tennessee. While East Tennessee residents are more familiar with bear encounters, TWRA urges residents everywhere to learn how to safely and responsibly coexist with bears.
When Does TWRA Tranquilize and Relocate a Bear?
TWRA follows specific guidelines for tranquilizing and relocating a bear. Intervention typically occurs if:
- The bear attacks or stalks a human
- The bear shows no fear of humans
- It causes property damage
- It enters a vehicle, home, or building
- It becomes habituated to non-natural food sources
- It refuses to leave an area despite the presence of people
Many locals argue that the bear’s persistent presence in populated areas and the clear public safety risk should have warranted intervention. Advocates for wildlife safety say this tragedy highlights the need for proactive planning and a regional strategy for managing wildlife in expanding suburban areas.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges in balancing conservation efforts with public safety, especially as human development continues to encroach on natural habitats. The bear’s death has left many saddened and questioning how such outcomes can be avoided in the future.
TWRA says they will continue to evaluate their response protocols, and the public is encouraged to report wildlife sightings and consult BearWise.org to learn how to avoid attracting bears into communities.
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