Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The American Black Bear
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 1997
1. The American Black Bear Marker
Inscription.
The American Black Bear. Great Smokey Mountains National Park. , Between 400 and 600 black bears live in the park, and you could see one almost anywhere. Most bears stay in the backcountry where they feed on grass, leaves, and acorns, fruits, berries, rodents, and carrion. Only a few visit roadsides and developed areas.
Remember---bears are wild animals. Enjoy watching them from a distance. It is unlawful to feed or tease them.
(Inscription above the image on the left) , Mature black bears weigh about 200-300 pounds, but individuals nearly twice that size have been reported.
(Inscription next to the image on the right) , Persons who feed bears, or approach them too closely, risk being bitten or clawed. Bears become more aggressive when fed. They tend to lose their fear of people, and they stand a greater chance of being hit by cars or killed by poachers.
Between 400 and 600 black bears live in the park, and you could see one almost anywhere. Most bears stay in the backcountry where they feed on grass, leaves, and acorns, fruits, berries, rodents, and carrion. Only a few visit roadsides and developed areas.
Remember---bears are wild animals. Enjoy watching them from a distance. It is unlawful to feed or tease them.
(Inscription above the image on the left) Mature black bears weigh about 200-300 pounds, but individuals nearly twice that size have been reported.
(Inscription next to the image on the right) Persons who feed bears, or approach them too closely, risk being bitten or clawed. Bears become more aggressive when fed. They tend to lose their fear of people, and they stand a greater chance of being hit by cars or killed by poachers.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 35° 43.998′ N, 83° 31.296′ W. Marker is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in Sevier County. Marker is on Banner Road (US 321). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gatlinburg TN 37738, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker
2. Great Smokey Mountains NP-Inside the visitor center
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 1997
3. Great Smokey Mountains NP-The visitor center
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 1997
4. Great Smokey Mountains
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 1997
5. Great Smokey Mountains-Morton Overlook Elev. 4837
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
