Black Bears

The American Black Bear is the symbol of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the park's vast area of protected forest provide a home for an estimated 1,500 bears -- about two per square mile. Black bears inhabit every elevation of the park, which is one of the few remaining places in the eastern U.S. where they can roam freely in their natural habitat. Typical male black bears weight 250 pounds, but some can reach 600 pounds. Bears that scavenge on garbage and human food live about half as long as other bears, so park officials strictly enforce rules against feeding bears and improper food storage. It is actually illegal to approach a bear in the park, so if you see one, enjoy the view from a distance -- it's safer for you and the bear.