Tenn. Black Bear Kills Girl, Age 6

The next time one of those folks speak about how we have to learn to live with black bears here in New Jersey, I think I’ll just hand them a copy of this.

Black bears generally avoid humans, animal experts said. Rangers at the Cherokee National Forest, where the attack took place Thursday, said a disease, tumor or parasite might have made the animal more aggressive.

The 350- to 400-pound bear attacked the family at a waterfall near a campground after several adult visitors tried to drive it off the trail, Hicks said.

The bear bit the boy's head, then went after the child's mother after she tried to fend off the attack with rocks and sticks, Hicks said. The animal picked up the woman with its mouth and dragged her off the trail.

The girl apparently ran away, and about an hour later was found with the bear hovering over her body, Hicks said. A rescuer fired a shot that scared the animal off, Hicks said. Authorities said they did not know whether it was wounded.

The girl’s 2-year-old brother has a puncture wound to his skull. Their mother remains in critical condition with eight puncture wounds to her neck and “too many claw and tooth injuries to count.”

In Northern New Jersey, we’re told to keep our trash secure and keep our eyes open when outside. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Rogers, the bear expert, said there have been only 56 documented killings of humans by black bears in North America in the past 100 years. Rogers said the current population of black bears in North America is around 750,000, and there is generally fewer than one killing a year.

But of course, when it’s only one human life a year, the bear lovers will argue in favor of the bear.