A baby black bear was spotted in South Knoxville as it tried to drag roadkill from the side of the road toward the trees. The video was taken alongside Sevierville Pike on the afternoon of May 28.
That’s right, black bears live all across East Tennessee, not just in Gatlinburg.
Though Gatlinburg has the highest concentrations of black bears in the Volunteer State, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, they can live anywhere, Knoxville included. Knoxville is situated in the Tennessee River Valley between two major mountain chains, so bears may often pass through the city when traveling from one to the other.
In the video, the young cub can be seen trying to drag the dead animal, probably its next meal, away from the road. But he bear-ly moves the animal. After the cub gives up, he frolics back towards the trees.
A bear cub was caught on video in South Knoxville recently.
When could you see a black bear cub in Tennessee?
Black bear cubs are typically born in the winter, between January or February. They’ll exit the winter dens with their mothers in the spring.
If you see a cub, don’t approach it and definitely don’t pick it up. Though the baby bears look extremely cute, they have sharp teeth and sharp claws. They can still be extremely dangerous.
How big do black bears get?
Don’t underestimate just how large black bears can be.
Adult black bears can grow up to three feet tall and six feet in length, according to the wildlife agency. A black bear’s weight can range from 125 to 600 pounds for adults, depending on the time of year. Female black bears are normally smaller than male bears.
How to report a black bear sighting
If you see a bear, you can report it to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency online. You can fill out a quick form about the bear sighting which will collect information like where you saw the bear, the age of the bear and what they were doing.
Use the online form only to report healthy bears.
How to report an orphaned black bear cub
If you see a cub all alone, don’t immediately report it as orphaned. Often, the mama bear will be nearby.
However, if the mother is confirmed to be dead or the cub remains alone for more than 36 hours, you can contact TWRA about the orphaned cub.
What to do if you see a bear
If you see a black bear in East Tennessee, though they are undeniably adorable, do not approach it. For your safety and the safety of the animal, it is important that you keep your distance.
BearWise.org recommends a few basic guidelines to help keep people safe in a black bear encounter, depending on where you see the bear.
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If the bear is in your backyard, remain a safe distance away and make loud noises to scare it away. Be sure it’s gone before letting any pets out or removing items that might have attracted it.
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If the bear is in the woods, back away slowly and quietly. Never run, as that might trigger the bear’s chase response.
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If you are approached by the bear, stand your ground and try to appear as large as possible. Make loud noises.
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If a black bear charges you, use bear spray. If it makes contact, fight back using your surroundings. Do not play dead.
See video of the bear cub in South Knoxville at the top of this story.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Black bear cub caught in South Knoxville on video trying to snag a meal