ASHEVILLE, N.C. - A series of unsafe interactions between humans and bears along a stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway has led parkway officials to enact a temporary closure in order to protect both species. The closure spans from milepost 367.6 to milepost 375.6, encompassing the area near the Craggy Gardens picnic area to Ox Creek Road.

Officials made the decision to close the section of the parkway after receiving multiple reports of visitors feeding and attempting to hold a young black bear near the Lane Pinnacle Overlook. Such behavior not only endangers the bears but also poses significant risks to the safety of humans.

Parkway biologist Tom Davis emphasized the necessity of the closure as a safety precaution for both humans and bears. He highlighted the detrimental impact on bears' life expectancy as a result of these interactions, labeling them as "panhandler bears." These bears have a lifespan half that of their wild counterparts due to their frequent interactions with humans. Davis pointed out that they venture into traffic and residential areas, putting them at increased risk of injury from human activities.

Furthermore, the bears' reliance on human food disrupts their natural behaviors, such as hibernation, and causes them to grow larger than necessary. This dependency on human-provided resources is detrimental to their overall well-being and survival in the long-term.

Parkway officials announced that the closure will be reassessed at the end of the week to determine when it will be safe to reopen the affected section. The main objective behind the temporary closure is to educate visitors about the dangers of engaging with and feeding wildlife, particularly bears, in order to foster a safer environment for all parkway occupants.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, and it is crucial for visitors to remember that these animals are wild and should be observed from a safe distance. The closure serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior when encountering wildlife, as bear-human interactions can have severe consequences for both parties involved.

As the week progresses, parkway officials will closely monitor the situation and determine the appropriate steps needed to ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the natural habitat for the bears that call the Blue Ridge Parkway home.