Multiple black bear sightings have been reported around the Upper Cumberland over the last two weeks, and a TWRA biologist said people should be aware.
A bear spotted at a Monterey residence, also near a senior care facility in Fairfield Glade. TWRA Region Three Biologist Casey Mullen said bear sightings are becoming more common in the area, as their growing population naturally expands to new places. Mullen said bear movement is influenced by food supply.
“When bears are sighted in areas such as Fairfeld, or anywhere, the first thing we advise people is to figure out the food source or the attractant,” Mullen said. “And eliminate, if possible, the attractant. Or severely reduce the attractant.”
Mullen said some possible bear attractants could be beehives, birdhouses, or pet food. Mullen said people should notify their neighbors about any bear sightings. Neighborhood’s collective steps to remove attractants can reduce the chance of bears coming back.
Mullen said people should never approach a bear, as they can be dangerous to humans in certain circumstances.
“The key thing is mothers with cubs and cornered or injured animals,” Mullen said. “Those three things are highly volatile situations. Avoid cornering an animal if you know it’s injured, and obviously let TWRA know, and we’ll try to intervene in that situation.”
Mullen said bear attacks on humans are uncommon, but people can attempt to scare black bears away by making themselves appear big and loud. Mullen said playing dead is only effective for grizzly bears, which do not inhabit the Upper Cumberland.
Mullen said there is a bear population in eastern parts of the region, and sightings there are common with the wildlife refuge near Fairfield Glade. Mullen said bear sightings should do not need to be reported unless damage or injury occurs, or if the sighting takes place in an urban location without a developed bear population.
“In East Tennessee, people hear stories and see on the news, Gatlinburg bears getting in cars and doing all these things, we don’t want to be to that level,” Mullen said. “We want to stay out in front of that. We will never have that many bears here, but we don’t want to have another situation like Gatlinburg, where you’ve got so many bears that are causing a whole lot of problems.”
