Tennessee’s black bear population is primarily concentrated on the Cumberland Plateau and throughout East Tennessee, but historically their range covered the entire state. Tennessee’s neighboring states also have expanding bear populations. Each spring, yearling bears disperse from their mothers in search of their new home range. During these travels, bears may appear in areas of Tennessee where bear sightings are less common, but always possible.
TWRA encourages Tennesseans to report bear sightings through the agency’s “I Saw A Bear” reporting system. Sighting reports help wildlife biologists monitor bear movements and better understand the species’ distribution across the state.
For more information about living responsibly in bear country and reducing conflicts with bears, visit BearWise.org, a comprehensive educational resource dedicated to helping people coexist safely with black bears.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
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Plus: Black Bears Spotted in Several Middle Tennessee Counties
Black bears have recently been spotted in Hickman, Wilson, Sumner and Dickson counties, areas outside the animals’ traditional range on the Cumberland Plateau and in East Tennessee.
Aaron Cantrell – News Channel 5
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And: Appalachian Bear Rescue Welcomes First Rescued Bear Cub in 18 Months
Appalachian Bear Rescue has admitted its first rescued black bear cub in a year and a half, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s return to rehabilitating orphaned and injured black bears in Tennessee.
Appalachian Bear Rescue
