Think black bears checked “Great Smoky Mountains” on the lease and never bothered moving? Tennessee has news for you.
Bear sightings are showing up farther beyond their familiar East Tennessee strongholds, with wildlife officials reporting more activity in the middle of the state and occasional appearances out west. In other words, the state’s bear map is getting a few unexpected updates.
Some of these visitors are simply passing through, which can turn an ordinary trail-camera check into the wildlife equivalent of a surprise celebrity cameo. One minute it’s squirrels…