Portion Of A North Carolina Scenic Parkway Closed Due To Wildlife
Looking to make that picturesque leaf season drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway? You may not be able to. A portion of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for the immediate foreseeable future just north of Asheville. The popular drive will be closed from mile 367.6 near the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to milepost 375.6 at Ox Creek Road. The closure is for the immediate future with no reopening date set as of now. The closer is due to reports of visitors approaching, feeding, and even holding a young bear. Lane Pinnacle Overlook is the area in which the bear has been sighted. Humans should never interact with wild animals as they can be dangerous and unpredictable.
“We are closing this section of the road temporarily for the safety of both the bear and park visitors,” said Superintendent Tracy Swartout in a Facebook post. “When people intentionally attract bears with trash and food it can lead to very dangerous situations. In this instance, we want to give the bear a chance to lose interest in the area before the situation escalates and visitors or the bear are harmed.”
Bears are extremely active this time of year as they prepare to hibernate. This makes the animals even more dangerous to humans as they try to consume as much food as possible. According to the Facebook post, the Park staff reminds visitors to keep food out of site. They also encourage anyone who encounters a bear on the Parkway to report it to a visitor center or by calling (828) 298-249.
There are sure to be some disappointed visitors to the NC mountains in what is commonly known as “leaf season”. It’s one of the most popular times to visit. And a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-do for many visitors so having a portion closed will be an inconvenience. But the safety of both humans and animals is of the upmost importance.
Can You Guess the Most Dangerous Animals in North Carolina?
Well, we all know North Carolina is home to many different species of animals across the state. From unique pets to animals you find on the beach to animals you find up in the mountains. The state has so many different types of living areas for animals that it is kind of wild to think about how many different homes we offer them. But, not all of these animals are ones you should play with. Think about it, not every animal is a kind, friendly dog. We have some dangerous species to beware of within the state.
Animal Vivid wants to be sure we are all aware of what creatures we should stay away from if we ever come across them. From deadly reptiles to deadly insects, you never know what you might come across in North Carolina wildlife. They gathered a list of the 10 most dangerous animals in North Carolina. Below, you can find 5 of the most dangerous animals in North Carolina and a little bit about each one. No worries, want to see the full list of all 10, click here and be safe!
Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.
