A temporary closure has been instituted at Shenandoah National Park to avoid further confrontations between dogs and black bears/NPS
In the wake of a dog being killed by a sow black bear, Shenandoah National Park officials are temporarily closing a section of the park to dogs. The closure affects the greater Dickey Ridge area (Mile 4.6 Skyline Drive) to reduce the risk of negative dog/bear encounters.
"This action in no way will change the park’s policy of allowing dogs in the park," a park release said. "It is being taken with an abundance of caution to provide a resident sow and two cubs with an adequate buffer from disturbances by dogs within this bear’s home range (the greater Dickey Ridge Area).
On August 3 a visitor with two dogs on retractable leashes came upon the bears. When the hiker saw the bears, they started to retreat, but the bear attacked one of the dogs, which died from its injuries.
At this point, the temporary closure to dogs is expected to be in effect until the Labor Day weekend. The closure area extends to the park boundaries from Skyline drive milepost 3.5 in the North to milepost 6.5 in the South. However, the open/mowed area immediately surrounding the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and restrooms will be open to dogs on a 6 foot leash.
The Snead Farm Fire Road and Loop Trail will remain closed to hikers while park staff continue to monitor the area.
Comments
On 6/7/16, we were hiking up from South River Falls when 3 hikers, also going up, reversed when they saw 3 cubs ahead. They gave us a heads up and all of us advanced very cautiously until a cub was spotted. We made as much noise as we could including a very loud whistle to no avail. The cubs just looked at us as strange martians. Not until our Gordon Setter spotted one and started barking did the cubs think it was time to leave. When we got to the trailhead, one hiker said to another, "We've got to get a dog".
Most, if not all, Western national parks prohibit dogs from trails; the Eastern parks should do the same. I love dogs, but I know that if I encounter one on a trail in Shenandoah, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or in Smoky Mountains National Park, my chances of encountering wildlife crash to near zero. Leave Fifi or Fido home!