National Park Asks Visitors to Adopt Bear Cubs in Cades Cove
Starting this spring, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is launching a new program to Adopt Bear Cubs that have been abandoned in Cades Cove. Due to a parasite outbreak, more cubs have been abandoned recently. To help these cubs find homes, the park is introducing the “Care for a Cub” program.
The National Park Service has identified 85 bear cubs currently cared for in a fenced area. These cubs cannot be reintroduced to the wild or taken in by zoos, so the park is looking for households willing to adopt them as pets. This exciting opportunity allows people to help these adorable bear cubs directly.
To adopt, applicants must live in the continental U.S., be at least 18 years old, and have a home large enough for a fully-grown black bear. Approved adopters can visit the cub pen in Cades Cove and choose a bear to bring home. Imagine the joy of welcoming a furry bundle of happiness into your family!
However, this information is an April Fools’ Day joke. Bears should not be kept as pets. While having a bear cub as a pet may seem fun, bears are wild animals with specific needs. They require special care best provided by conservation professionals.
Visitors to Cades Cove can still enjoy watching black bears in their natural habitat by following safety precautions. The Great Smoky Mountains offer a chance to see these majestic creatures in the wild. By respecting their space and keeping a safe distance, we can ensure their well-being and appreciate their beauty and importance to the ecosystem.
Blue Ridge Parkway Section Closed Due to Bear Interactions
A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is temporarily closed due to recent bear interactions. People have been feeding and trying to hold a young bear at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook, leading to this closure.
The closed section is from milepost 367 near the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to milepost 375 at Ox Creek Road. This closure aims to protect both the bear and park visitors.
Visitors are advised to keep food out of sight and follow bear safety tips to avoid attracting bears.
“Feeding or interacting with bears is dangerous for both humans and wildlife,” says Park Ranger Katherine Davis. “This closure aims to minimize bear-human conflicts and protect the park’s natural habitat.”
If you see a bear in the area, call 828-298-2491. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers stunning views, but safety and respect for wildlife are essential.
Bear 402 Abandons Yearling Cub in the Brooks River
In early July, a bear named 402 in the Brooks River abandoned her yearling cub. This unexpected event left the cub alone and vulnerable. Throughout the month, onlookers saw the yearling wandering along the riverbanks, looking for guidance.
Nature, however, has surprises. Photos from Margot Creek showed the yearling finding a new family with bear 435 Holly and her spring cub. The yearling was seen nuzzling its adoptive mother, sharing meals, and even nursing with the spring cub.
This adopt bear cubs program helps park visitors understand the adaptability and intelligence of bears. While rare, such events provide valuable insights into bear behavior. The reasons behind bear 435 Holly’s decision to adopt the yearling are unknown, but it highlights the complex dynamics within the bear community.
Source Links
- https://www.nps.gov/katm/blogs/abandoned-cub-finds-a-new-mother.htm
- https://www.wtok.com/2023/10/31/national-park-closes-8-miles-road-after-visitors-try-hold-bear-cub/?outputType=apps