A pair of tragic animal encounters has been reported in Tennessee. Should you be concerned about your next vacation?
Two incidents in the news recently have served as sobering reminders about observing recommended practices and exercising due care in the mountains of Tennessee.
One incident involved a black bear that had to be shot and killed after invading a man’s home in Sevierville. The other saw a hiker die after a rattlesnake bite at Savage Gulf State Park. The park is located in the southern portion of the state right on the border of what is considered East and Middle Tennessee.
Both incidents serve to remind us that while the mountains – and their wildlife – are beautiful, there are dangers. And while we exercise due caution and care, sometimes circumstances and bad luck can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Rattlesnake Bites and Hikers
Rattlesnake bites are rare in the mountains and – in most case – are not fatal. Earlier this summer, a teenager fishing in the Pisgah National Forest was bitten by a timber rattler. Luckily, his companion had cell service. As a result, a crew of rescuers arrived via a National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter flying from near Charlotte. They were able to pick up the younger fisherman and fly him to Johnson City for treatment.
What happened to the hiker who died in the Savage Gulf State Park?
Savage park is a massive wild area covering 19,000 acres in Grundy and Sequatchie counties, located Northwest of Chattanooga. The park is known for the Great Stone Door. This “impressive cliff line” overlooks the Savage Gulf Natural Area, a massive and wild valley that used to be part of South Cumberland State Park. The Stone Door – for the record – gets its name from a top-to-bottom crack in the cliff that resembles a door left slightly ajar. The park is known for its rock climbing, camping, swimming, picnicking and hiking…