GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Wildlife officers say a Virginia woman has been charged after they say she fed a black bear while on vacation in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Association said Friday that a video posted on social media showed 21-year-old Kristin Hailee Farris hand-feeding what appeared to be watermelon, chocolate and other items to a black bear in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on Sept. 30.
According to news reports, officers say Farris faces a Class B misdemeanor, which can result up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. TWRA says regulations have been in place since 2000 that prohibit feeding bears or leaving food in garbage cans that could attract bears within a six mile (9.6 kilometer) radius of Gatlinburg.
