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The
safety of park visitors is of the utmost
concern to the National Park Service.
Please be aware of the following
potential hazards so that your visit to
the Great Smoky Mountains Park can be an
enjoyable one.
Bears:
The Great
Smoky Mountains National Park
is one of the few places remaining in
the eastern United States where black
bears can live in wild, natural
surroundings. For many, this famous
Smokies’ resident is a symbol of
wilderness. Bears inhabit all elevations
of the park. Though populations are
variable, counts conducted in 2004
indicated approximately 1,600 bears live
in the park.
Bears have color vision and a keen sense
of smell. In addition, they are good
tree climbers, can swim very well, and
can run 30 miles per hour.
If you see a bear, remain watchful.
Do not approach it. Being too close may
promote aggressive behavior from the
bear such as running toward you, making
loud noise or swatting the ground. The
bear is demanding more space. Don’t
run, but slowly back away, watching the
bear. |
If a bear
persistently follows or approaches you without
vocalizing or paw swatting, try changing your
direction. If the bear continues to follow you,
stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk
loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively and try
to intimidate the bear. Throw non-food objects
such as rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent such
as a stout stick. Don’t run and don’t turn
away from the bear. Don’t leave food for
the bear: this encourages further problems. If
the bear shows no interest in your food and you
are physically attacked, fight back aggressively
with any available object—the bear may consider
you food. Never approach a mother bear and her
cubs!!
Garbage Kills Bears!
The bear’s keen sense
of smell leads it to nuts and berries, but the
animal is also enticed by human food left on a
picnic table or offered from an outstretched
hand. Feeding bears or allowing them access to
human food causes a number of problems: For
these reasons, National Park Rangers issue
citations for feeding bears and for improper
food storage. Feeding bears and improper food
storage can result in fines of up to $5,000 and
jail sentences lasting up to six months.
Visitors are urged to view all wildlife at a
safe distance and to never leave food or garbage
unattended. Garbage Kills Bears! Visit the web
site
Appalachian Bear
Center
http://www.appbears.org
to view how
orphaned and
injured bears are rehabilitated for release to
the wild.
Elk:
Once native to the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, their disappearance was
attributed to over hunting and loss of habitat.
The elk re-introduction program began in 2001
with the importation of 25 elk from the Land
Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
located between Tennessee and Kentucky border
and with 27 more elk in 2002. These radio
collared elks existence depends upon whether the
parks natural resources will be impacted and how
they interact with park goers. Most of the elk
are located in the Cataloochee Valley and best
viewed early morning or late afternoon using
binoculars. Please do not disturb the wildlife,
each year park animals must be destroyed because
of the mistakes humans make!!
Synchronous
Fireflies:
Location: Elkmont. Elkmont was once a logging
community but is now a part of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. During a two
week period in mid June, nature provides a
spectacular light show as thousand of ‘lighting
bugs’ produce bioluminescence as they ‘flash’
synchronously in the night sky. This phenomenon
once only thought to exist in South Asia is
still unexplained by scientist. Truly a unique
experience to be enjoyed while visiting the
Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Snakes:
2 species of poisonous snakes live in the Great
Smoky Mountains, the Northern copperhead and
Timber Rattlesnake.
Insects:
Yellowjacket wasps are the insect of greatest
concern to most visitors. They build nests in
the ground and are aggressive when disturbed.
Stings cause local swelling and can lead to
severe allergic reactions in a few sensitive
people. Allergic persons should carry
epinephrine kits. If stunk on the hand, remove
rings immediately.
Lightning:
If you are caught in a thunderstorm, seek
shelter away from solitary trees, tall trees,
rock out-croppings, and overhangs. Avoid
ridgetops. If no shelter is available, lie down
in a shallow depression away from metal, tree
roots, and streams of water.
Theft:
Thieves sometimes target vehicles parked at
trailheads for break-ins. Don’t leave purses,
cameras, electronic equipment or other valuables
in the car. Lock the car and take your keys.
