The National Park Service says a bear that was euthanized was not the same bear that attacked a hiker on May 10. The DNA of another bear, that was captured and released with a GPS-tracking collar, also did not match the bear that attacked.

Park managers do have a protocol in place to confirm matches with DNA before animals are euthanized. Park rangers use facilities that can hold these wild bears temporarily while labs analyze DNA.

Those with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park say the bear biologists euthanized on May 13 was six miles out of the backcountry. They said it was not a practical option to transport the bear by a ground crew.

Biologists also use GPS-tracking collars. They will collect DNA from a bear and release with these collars. That way, they can monitor the bear while awaiting DNA test results. They couldn't use this method on the bear they euthanized because the collar would not fit around the bear's large neck.

“Bears are iconic symbols in the Smokies and a decision to euthanize an animal is not made lightly,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Park staff have worked diligently over the last year to develop viable alternatives to euthanasia. Understandably, these options won’t be appropriate responses for every bear incident. In the interest of responsibly protecting hiker safety in America’s most visited national park, we make our decisions based on the best available information for each particular situation.”

Biologists recommended euthanasia for the 400-pound bear captured on May 13 based on several facts. The bear had dental injuries that matched the bite wounds on the hiker's leg, the size and sex of the bear, and it was the only bear present near the scene of the attack. The large, dominant nature of the bear matched the profile of the bear responsible.

According to investigators, the bear bit through a tent and into the hiker's leg. This was after the bear tried to get into the tent multiple times. Rangers say the hiker had properly stored his food on aerial storage cables.

The Spence Field backcountry shelter will stay closed as wildlife staff continue to monitor the site for bear activity.

Bradley Veeder, 49, Las Vegas, was asleep in a tent when he says a bear bit through the tent and into his lower leg.

After the attack, Veeder and the other hikers gathered at a shelter for the rest of the night. During that time, the bear came back and tore through Veeder's tent and another empty tent.

Veeder was taken out of the backcountry by horseback and then went to Blount Memorial Hospital by ambulance at 3:45 p.m. the next day.