KNOXIVLLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Parts of a tennis shoe were found inside the stomach of a bear rangers believe to be the one that attacked an 8-year-old Florida boy, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials.
Evan Pala was attacked by a black bear near Rainbow Falls Train on Sunday, Aug. 10, and park rangers later shot a black bear at the location of the attack.
"Examination of the bear's stomach contents revealed parts of a tennis shoe and insole matching those that were worn by Evan's father, John Pala, who fought off the bear to defend his son," park spokesperson Nancy Gray says.
Park rangers believe that the shoe evidence confirms that they shot the right bear.
Gray says rangers do not think the Pala family provoked the bear in any way.
"Park officials believe that the attack on Evan was predatory in nature," Gray says. "Predatory behavior means that the bear stalked the boy as prey."
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