UPDATE - BEAR ATTACK
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
August 18, 2008
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have released
preliminary forensic information regarding the black bear attack on
8-year-old Evan Pala near Rainbow Falls Trail on Monday, August 11.
The black bear that was shot by Park Rangers at the location of the
incident was taken to The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary
Medicine for a necropsy. Examination of the bear’s stomach contents
revealed parts of a tennis shoe and insole matching those that were worn by
Evan’s father, John Pala, who fought off the bear to defend his son. Park
Rangers investigating the incident located one of John Pala’s shoes at the
scene. John Pala stated that he had lost both of his shoes during the
altercation. Park managers are satisfied with the evidence of the shoe that
further confirms that the Rangers shot the same bear that attacked the boy.
Their conclusion was based upon the location and size of the bear matching
the description provided by John Pala and the bear’s aggressive behavior
towards the rangers. The Park also received preliminary information that
the bear was not rabid.
Park officials believe that the attack on Evan was predatory in
nature. Predatory behavior means that the bear stalked the boy as prey.
There was no evidence that would suggest any provocation from the Pala
family that would initiate this very rare aggressive behavior from the
bear. Park Rangers arrived at this conclusion because there were no food
items carried by the victim and no evidence of prior problems associated
with this bear–it was not ear tagged or tattooed which would indicate a
previous capture and experience with humans. In cases such as this,
black bears have targeted the smallest individual in a group.
The full necropsy report is still pending.
Ed