Black Bear/Human Conflicts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

January 1, 1980
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An evaluation was made of 1,028 reports of black bear (Ursus americanus)/human incidents involving personal injuries, property damage, and bear control actions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1964-76. Respective totals for personal injuries and incidents of property damage were 107 (range, 1-23 per year) and 715 (range, 9-116 per year). Captures and relocations for the period numbered 332, and 18 bears were destroyed. Seventy-six percent of the nuisance bears were males. Improper food storage, violations of park regulations, and high levels of visitor use at certain campsites, shelters and along a few main roads and trails are factors contributing to bear/human conflicts.

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