Bear makes ‘contact’ with TN park employee, video shows

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — A black bear has been euthanized following an incident at the Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, last week.

The business is also enacting new safety measures to deter future encounters.

The encounter took place inside a concessions stand at the recreation park on Thursday around 9:30 p.m. Video filmed by Zachary Recchia shows the animal first at the concession stand counter, and then lunging at an approaching employee who appeared at the door as it left.

The employee can be seen reentering the concessions area, unaware of the bear, when it lunges and swats at her with both front paws. The bear quickly moves out of sight and she hurries into the stand, shutting the door behind her.

A representative for Anakeesta said the bear and employee “made brief physical contact” during the incident.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said Monday that a bear matching the description of the bear seen …