Bear Rescued From Roof of Ripley’s Theater in Gatlinburg

A 375-pound black bear was found stranded on the roof of a downtown Gatlinburg attraction early Friday and was safely recovered by wildlife officers.

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What We Know:

  • The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Gatlinburg Police Department responded to reports of the bear between midnight and 2 a.m. at the roof of Ripley’s Motion Blaster. https://www.wvlt.tv+1
  • Officers tranquilized the bear around 11:30 a.m. and removed it using a bucket truck; the building’s rooftop posed access challenges. https://www.wvlt.tv+1
  • The bear was measured at approximately 375 pounds and was later released safely back into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yahoo+1
  • The incident did not cause injury or major property damage, but serves as a strong reminder of human-wildlife interface risks in downtown Gatlinburg.

GATLINBURG, TN – Early this morning, city officials and wildlife officers responded to an unusual call: a black bear had climbed atop the roof of Ripley’s Motion Blaster in downtown Gatlinburg. The incident, first reported between midnight and 2 a.m., prompted a joint response from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the Gatlinburg Police Department, and the city’s street department. https://www.wvlt.tv+1

By approximately 11:30 a.m., TWRA officers tranquilized the approximately 375-pound bear and, using a bucket truck, removed it from the rooftop. The bear was subsequently released into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yahoo+1 City officials confirmed that no significant structural damage occurred and that the bear did not injure anyone.

The downtown area of Gatlinburg shares direct interface with the park and wildlife corridors, increasing the chance of encounters like this one. Officials urge visitors and residents alike to secure trash, avoid feeding wildlife and be aware of the potential for animals to explore commercial roofs and alleyways.

For visitors and local businesses in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:

  • Wildlife can, and does, venture into urban, tourist-heavy areas; unexpected encounters are possible at any time.
  • The incident underscores the importance of wildlife safety practices—keeping a safe distance, not leaving food attractants, and respecting animal space.
  • For tourism-driven storefronts and rooftops, this event highlights the need for awareness and readiness in wildlife interface zones.

Source Links & Timestamps:

  • “Wildlife officers remove bear from roof of Ripley’s theater in Gatlinburg” – WVLT, Nov. 21 2025, 1:08 PM EST. https://www.wvlt.tv
  • “TWRA: 375-pound bear found stuck on Gatlinburg roof, released into Smokies” – Yahoo News/ syndication, Nov. 21 2025 10:29 AM PST. Yahoo