News

Actions

Video: Woman Encounters Gatlinburg ‘Town Bear'

Posted at 11:44 AM, Mar 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-21 14:06:21-04

A Middle Tennessee woman visiting Gatlinburg with her family got quite a surprise when she found a bear outside their hotel.  

Kim Vastola, of Watertown, was in town for her son’s baseball tournament and was staying on the first floor of Quality Inn Creekside in downtown.

Vastola was startled when she heard people yelling that there was a bear. She went outside and captured video of the bear on a tree behind the hotel before he made his way around the building.  

Vastola said the person at the front desk told her the "town bear" – named Robert – was lurking around but there was no need to be alarmed.

Apparently, “Robert” lives in the area and roams when he comes out of hibernation. No one was hurt.