More Bear Related Information From the City of Gatlinburg

I know I’ve been talking bear news a lot lately, but it’s vitally important we all come to an understanding of how serious it’s become. Having Gatlinburg make national news magazine headlines for bear encounters is certainly not a good look for myriad reasons. I don’t need to go into detail any more than what has been circulating around social media either. I want to discuss what the City of Gatlinburg is committing to a few new initiatives, which have been going well so far.

It was first announced in November 2023 about the new animal-resistant dumpsters the City of Gatlinburg invested in, to the tune of $3 million. This is designed to help reduce human-bear encounters, ensuring everyone’s safety. So far, the project is ahead of schedule, nearing completion. The new dumpsters have an added latch on top to prevent animals from simply lifting the handle.

Before the rollout of this new program, the Gatlinburg Sanitation Department collected trash from privately owned containers, which were left for individuals and businesses to maintain. Now, the City will own and control the containers.

In addition to this investment, the City of Gatlinburg has hired a position and appropriated funds in its new budget to build a maintenance building for storing and repairing the dumpsters.

If you see a dumpster that has been damaged and not in working order, people are encouraged to contact the Sanitation Department at 865-436-5959 and give them the sticker number on the dumpster. If you notice issues with trash sitting outside the containers, please contact the Gatlinburg Police Department at 865-436-5181

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In other bear news, the City of Gatlinburg—based on a recommendation from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency—is urging individuals and businesses to refrain from using real produce for holiday and seasonal decorations.

We all know Gatlinburg is known for their beautiful fall decorations, but using edible pumpkins and other produce are well-known to attract bears. This is something my family and I have discussed in our previous visits as tourists, and it’s nice to see the City put this out as a way to reduce bear interactions.

Also, residents are being advised to remove bird feeders, secure trash, and store all pet food inside. This also includes keeping food out of vehicles, rolling up windows, and locking doors. It’s amazing what bears can get into if you give them easier access. They are smart creatures, so be vigilant when it comes to you and the bears’ safety.

These actions are reactive and proactive, but both can be seen as a good thing. The last thing everyone wants is for more bears to be put down, and the City is doing a great job committing to the recent initiatives. As a resident, I appreciate it very much. Following through with them will result in a much safer environment for us to coexist!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to my publication! I hope you’ll follow along as I have more reviews and thoughts about everything related to my Gatlinburg home soon!