Bear Euthanized After Body Found

Bear Euthanized After Body Found

Bear euthanized after body found in Cades Cove. William Lee Hill Jr. of Louisville, TN was found dead two miles north of Cades Cove Off Rich Mountain Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The man was reported missing on Sunday after he and friends were in the park looking for ginseng. The group separated and Hill never reunited with his friends. Park officials started a search in the Great Smoky Mountains in Cades Cove for three days. His body was found Tuesday near Rich Mountain Road. In the same area of the body there was an adult male bear. The bear acted aggressively for several hours and prevented park rangers from getting close.

Bear Euthanized After Man’s Body Found

Rangers were able to recovered Hill’s body later on Tuesday evening. Sadly there was evidence of wildlife scavenging the remains. Wildlife biologists were called in to assist. They trapped the bear and recovered human DNA from the bear. Park officials decided to humanely euthanize the bear even thou it is reported that it is unknown if the bear had anything to do with Hill’s death. Park Superintendent Cassius Cash explained they did not want to take any risks with the bear potentially harming others. Cash explained. “We could not take the risk of allowing this bear to approach or show aggression towards other people.” Officials will continue to investigate the incident.

William Lee Hill Jr. was 30 years old. Family members say he had 3 children that he loved very much. His father states he was an avid outdoorsman and was a former Maryville High School football player.The family was devastated to hear this news of his death and the circumstances.