News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Spring is a time for wildlife to be on the move and that includes bears.
Black bears move around this time of year to find and establish territory. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Communications Coordinator Mimi Barnes said the bears also looking for food.
“Our bears don’t always go into that deep hibernation that we see on TV,” Barnes said. “It really is about young bears moving out on their own for the first time.”
Barnes said the bear populations in the Upper Cumberland is growing. The rate of growth remains difficult to determine. She said biologists are currently studying how many bears are in the Cumberland Plateau and how quickly the population is expanding.
May is typically the most likely time of the year individuals across our region may see a bear. Barnes said if you spot one, do not approach or feed it, and secure your garbage.
“Remove bird feeders,” Barnes said. “It seems counter intuitive, but bird feeders can really attract bears. It’s a really quick easy meal, so by removing bird feeders when bears are active, you actually can keep bears moving and they’ll look for food elsewhere.”
She also recommends moving outside pet food inside and cleaning out grills after use.
“Keep your neighbors informed,” Barnes said. “If you know a bear is active in the area, just spread the word. If everybody follows this advice, people are likely to be very safe and the bears are likely to keep moving on.”
