Smokies Black Bear
October 30, 2009 · Filed Under Tennessee Smoky Mountains · Comments Off
A few interesting facts for visitors to the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Black Bears
There is an estimated 1,500 - 1,600 black bears in the Smoky Mountains National Park. This is an estimated 2 black bears per square mile. About the last 60 years the black bear population has grown five times it’s original estimated numbers, despite the last 2 years bear hunting seasons.
Black bears eat plants, nuts, berries, insects and various meats. We also know that human food and garbage have become a part of the black bears diet, though harmful to their health as well as a serious concern for the safety of park visitors. Humans are the largest threat to the black bears.
