GATLINBURG, Tenn. — This June 5 marks National Black Bear Day, and Anakeesta is taking this opportunity to offer some facts, tips, and ways to help black bears in Gatlinburg.
FACTS
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), “Black bears are one of Tennessee’s state treasures and no other animal exemplifies the wilderness experience like them.”
- While black bears are usually tolerant of humans, they should always be treated as wild animals, whether in residential or backcountry areas.
- Black bears are rarely aggressive towards people and typically go out of their way to avoid contact, however as human development continues and bear numbers increase, occasional interactions will be unavoidable.
- Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable.
- Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression.
- Startled bears will often confront intruders by turning sideways to appear larger, make woofing and teeth clacking sounds, salivate, lay their ears back and slap the ground with their paws. These are warnings for you to leave the area.
- Bears will often stand on their hind legs to get a better view or a better sense of hearing and smell.
TIPS
TWRA offers multiple tips to visitors and guests on how to co-exist with bears in the Smokies.
- Never feed or approach bears!
- If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is probably trying to assess your presence.
- If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel, return the way you came, or wait until it leaves the area.
- Make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear in an attempt to scare it away.
- If approached by a bear, stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell and throw rocks or sticks until it leaves the area.
- When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle and away from tents.
- Never run from a black bear! This will often trigger its natural instinct to chase.
- If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play dead! Use pepper spray, sticks, rocks, or anything you can find to defend yourself. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, “pop” their jaws or “huff” as a warning. If you see these behaviors, you are too close! Slowly back away while facing the bear at all times.
WAYS TO HELP
Help black bears by checking out bearwise.org, the Appalachian Bear Rescue, Friends of the Smokies, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and TWRA.
Leave a Reply