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.