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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Authorities closed a number of miles of path yesterday to let native black bears feast in peace. Hikers are quickly banned from segments of the Gatlinburg and Twin Creeks trails, the place a excessive focus of bears are feeding on acorns, in line with a statement from the park. Trails will likely be closed till additional discover.
The park has additionally issued bear warnings for a number of open areas within the park the place there’s elevated bear exercise. Hikers on the Combating Creek Nature Path, Cove Mountain Path, Packs Nook Shelter, Double Springs Hole Shelter, and Campground #113 ought to train warning.
“Bears depend upon fall meals similar to acorns and grapes to retailer fats reserves that permit them to outlive winter,” park officers mentioned. “Usually the bears are solitary, nonetheless, throughout the fall a number of bears will be seen feeding close by.”
Based on the park, it isn’t unusual for black bears to flock to the place meals is plentiful, similar to stands of oak timber discovered alongside the Gatlinburg and Twin Creeks trails. Black bears are generally harmless to humanshowever will be aggressive in an effort to defend beneficial meals sources like berries and nuts.
The pre-winter fattening interval is named binge consuming, when bears should discover and eat extra energy by consuming and consuming nearly nonstop. Throughout this section, bears are more likely to transfer exterior their standard vary, and may be more likely to approach trails, campsites, and other places with humans.
In late summer season and fall, hikers in bear nation must be particularly cautious. Bears are opportunistic eaters, so make sure to retailer all meals in bear-proof containers. Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park Officers encourage hikers not to approach black bears. Yell at a bear if it approaches you and transfer away from any meals it craves.
About 1,500 bears stay within the park, which is among the largest protected expanses of black bear habitat within the jap United States. Hikers can name (865) 436-1297 for current trail and campground information.
