A rare polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sighting in Panthertown
PANTHERTOWN VALLEY, NC (Published 4/1/2016) –
A rare polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sighting in Panthertown has prompted U.S. Forest Service officials to close all trails in the forest until further notice.
Nantahala District Ranger Mike Wilkins was reported to have been heard discussing the situation with North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission biologists, “Unlike other bear species, polar bears are almost exclusively meat eaters (carnivorous). We don’t want any hikers to become an easy food source for these beasts.”
Sources claim the bear was first seen bathing in the pool below Schoolhouse Falls and again on top of Little Green Mountain. Be safe out there folks. Don’t feed the bears.
Story update: Ranger Wilkins has issued an official statement encouraging mountain bikers and equestrians to continue using the trails since they can move more quickly than hikers and would provide tasty bear bait. Officials hope the rare polar bear will follow the horses and bikes out of Panthertown and into nearby neighborhoods.
News at 11.
Friends of Panthertown is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Join Friends to help us protect and maintain Panthertown Valley for all to enjoy. Even polar bears. Click here for info about black bear activity (Ursus americanus) in Panthertown.
Media Archives: View past media coverage about Panthertown
So! It IS April Fools Day!
By: Judy Darby on April 1, 2016
at 11:45 am
I knew there were penguins too!!!!
Happy April 1st!
Wendy LeMay
Sent from my iPhone
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By: Wendys Frontier Acct on April 1, 2016
at 11:47 am
The bear IS beautiful—tell us about the picture please!
By: Judy Darby on April 1, 2016
at 11:49 am
April Fool!!
By: bill dickason on April 1, 2016
at 11:50 am
Hee hee hee. 🙂
By: Katy G. on April 1, 2016
at 12:39 pm
we were totally hoodwinked!! Good work!! love you guys, Dr. and MRs. William Bock (formerly friends of Panthertown :))
By: WILLIAM C BOCK on April 1, 2016
at 1:14 pm
I saw that bear in there a month ago… It was drinking a Coke !
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By: terranbj@aol.com on April 1, 2016
at 3:46 pm
Well done!!
By: Arthur on April 1, 2016
at 8:04 pm
You had me until “…follow them into neighborhoods”, excellent April Fool’s joke!
By: Nan Major on April 2, 2016
at 8:47 am
I read this to my friend and kept saying this is crazy!! And how stupid they want to lure it with bikers and equestrian (bad enough)….. But into neighborhoods ??!!! Then I’m looking at the pic saying that’s not s black bear, not a polar, I think it’s a pale grizzly… And so the conversation went.
Well done!! Great april fools post 🙂
By: Melissa Watson on April 2, 2016
at 11:45 am
Thanks for that Jason! Loved it!
By: Becky Johnson on April 3, 2016
at 12:53 pm
Darn, and we had to leave.
By: Tom Wages on April 3, 2016
at 3:16 pm
I was wondering how he got there. A long hike across the states under the cover of darkness I guess.
By: Craig moore on April 7, 2016
at 7:52 pm