Bears in the Smokies with Ranger Butch!
With Springtime right around the corner, the sleepy bears will soon begin to awake! Retired Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ranger Arthur “Butch” McDade met with HeySmokies in Elkmont to talk about the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), the iconic symbol of the Smoky Mountains.
Bear cubs are usually born in January. Right now, the cubs are in the den fully awake and completely dependent on mother who will rouse herself every now and then for a tender lick or two. The cubs will continue to be nourished and warmed by mama bear until at some unknown cue, when the cubs are about three months old and weigh between four and eight pounds, they will all leave the den and begin their new lives in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
