A couple having a picnic near the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC was attacked Sept. 29 by a black bear. The attack occurred in the parking area of the Folk Art Center just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

While having a picnic on a grassy hill the couple was alerted to the bear by the barking of their dog. The dog then ran towards the bear causing the bear to act defensively and make several attacks on the couple as they retreated back to their car.

They drove to Mission Hospital in Asheville where they were treated for their injuries and released. As a result of the attack temporary closures are now in place on all trails in the area and picnicking is prohibited.

Park rangers and wildlife biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are actively scouring the area around the Folk Art Center in an attempt to locate and capture the bear.

If the bear is captured and positively identified officials will “humanely euthanize,” the bear as per park and state wildlife commission protocol.