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Hungry Bears Force Closure of Sites on Appalachian Trail

Black Bear
creative commons
Black Bear

DALEVILLE, Va. (AP) - Hungry bears have forced the closure of a shelter and campsite along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia

The Roanoke Times reports that the Lamberts Meadow Shelter and campsite near Daleville could remain closed for several weeks.

Diana Christopulos of the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club tells the newspaper that there were numerous bear sightings at Lamberts Meadow last weekend. Hikers reported bears getting food that had been tied up in a tree and even entering the shelter in search of snacks.

Christopulos says the bears weren't aggressive; they were just looking for food. She says the goal is to fix the problem by cutting off the food supply.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.