Mountain lion, rhodo, nettle.I gotta get back soon. Currently, theres no evidence of a breeding mountain lion population in the Smoky Mountains (photo by In 2007, GSMR made the decision to close their Dillsboro depot and relocate their headquarters from Dillsboro to Bryson City due to their dispute with the Dillsboro Town Council not being resolved. It bounded out of the scrub in front of my truck and passed quickly across the highway. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The population of the cats favorite prey, white-tailed deer, is booming and cougars have already been confirmed only a few hundred miles away from the states border. I Was hiking with family, and the big cat crossed the trail. [16][17] The museum features a collection of over 7,000 Lionel model engines, cars and accessories, a large model train layout, a children's activity center, and a gift shop. It was large and had a very long tail and he was running very fast. Still, I held out hope that a small band of rogue cougars was loose in the mountains until September of 2020. The snorting alarm from his herd came a split second before the tawny stalker attacked Sparks from the rear, but it was enough of a warning for him to get a firm grip on the handle of the knife sheathed at his waist. WebChimney Tops is a mountain in the central Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level. So be aware of your surroundings and watch where youre placing your hands and feet. The truly terrifying thing though? Sure, a skunk can spray you or your dog or your camping gear, but there are ways to get the smell out eventually. And so for years, Ive thought to myself, well, its possible. In 2011 a cougar that originated in the Black Hills area made national headlines when it was discovered that it had traveled an astonishing 1,500 miles before being struck and killed on a roadway in Greenwich, Connecticut. Other useful online resources include blueridgemountainlife.com and an in-depth article on the elk reintroduction can be found in a recent issue of Smokies Life magazine. Not just a re-hash of past sightings over the past few decades. This is especially true if youre around someone not following bear precautions, such as using food lockers and tossing your trash immediately. Whatever the source, Im reasonably certain that we have mountain lions in the Smokies region. 1009, GP9 No. and i personally saw the black one before and my son saw the brow one dragging away a road kill dear.they are here.no mistake. One special note is that the babies will play dead if they feel threatened. We are. Report an Issue | In 1928 Albert F. Ganier, writing in the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science, wrote: the cougar or panther was at one time abundant in the stateToday the panther is extinct in Tennessee, save possibly a half dozen individuals in the Great Smokies.. Though there have been some elk sightings in Tennessee, the best place for viewing is in Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee Valley near Cherokee, North Carolina. Gatlinburg As of 2023 it has been said that there is plans to begin the restoration .[11][12]. However, if theyre hungry and presented with easy prey, they may attack children or your pets. Bobcats are significantly smaller wild cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lions. Movement between populations in the East and West has probably always been a normal part of the species existence. I live in Michigan and we have bobcats, so I know the difference. I do take a few minutes and check the status of my GoSmokies family. It was huge and took up an entire 3 foot by 5 foot space while laying down. Both snakes like to hide under buildings and fences too. The best way to prevent a mountain lion attack is to keep together as a group and ensure your children and pets dont get too far behind or in front of you. !See a trap? They cite a glaring lack of hard evidence. Beginning March 1, 2023, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will launch the Park it Forward program. I called the owner of the house and he said youre the 3rd person to tell me that. In other words, the Eastern Cougar was erroneously labeled a subspecies to begin with and was never different from the cats that occur in the western part of the country. The cat that had attacked Sparks was dead. It was not a mountain lion or a cougar or a panther. As predators, mountain lions keep a check on the numbers of other Please check the "Trail Closures, Warnings and Cautions" section of the Temporary Road and Facilities Closures page for further details. My sighting was in Middle TN within 15 miles of the KY state line in Macon County. Exploration brought unsustainable hunting practices, new diseases and competition with domestic livestock for food resources. A bobcat weighs 13 to 40 pounds, on average. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Not too long ago you could walk into a pet store and purchase a cougar kitten. [6], The railroad has five operational diesel locomotives, GP9s Nos. Horrible hiss into a hellish growl. DNA analysis of the hair could potentially confirm the animals presence in the park. Its true there are also bobcats but it know the difference. Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, TN Alerts 4 Maps Calendar Fees Alerts In Effect Park Closures Trail Advisory Several trails in the park are temporarily closed. Several sightings have occurred at the site of a known animal crossing in the park.. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 16:42. , I think smokey mts would have mt.lions.trail cams have recorded them here in upper east.tn. Readers can contact him at P.O. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. In fact it seems like most everybody is sure they are in their local area. Mountain lions are significantly larger than bobcats. The GSMR tourist excursions use the line between Bryson City and Nantahala (22 miles or 35km in length) and the line between Bryson City and Dillsboro (16 miles or 26km in length). Mountain lions, by contrast, primarily eat bigger game such as deer. About a week later, officials indicated they believed what the policeman had seen early that morning was not a tiger. Hopefully we can do it off trail to add to the suspense. As the animal tried to bite into his neck he hunched forward instinctively to protect himself and blindly stabbed as hard as he could over his left shoulder. But, its very hard to convince anybody of that fact. A social network for fans of the Great Smoky Mountains. As many as 10 million elk roamed across North America before European settlers arrived on the continent. John Gullion, Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC the parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com. Dont know what to look for? Purchased in 2020 from Western Rail Locomotive in. These fearless animals were large, and often weighed upwards to 1000 pounds. I accidentally cornered the thing by walking in. With the new parking tag system at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which starts March 1, visitors to the countrys most-visited national park must buy and Writer and naturalist George Ellison dies at 81, George Robert Ellison II Thoreau in a jockstrap, Renowned artists conserve their lifes inspiration, Waynesville considers more incentives for affordable housing development, All the worlds a stage: Broadcasting meetings a tough call for Waynesville. In 2004, GSMR debuted its "Polar Express" train ride, based on the newly released movie and licensed through Warner Brothers. In the Smokies, a bobcat is often mistaken for a mountain lion. This marks Linzeys 16th appearance at the event. Wapiti or elk Cervus elaphus These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. [5] In 2012, the GSMR made an agreement with the Swain County of North Carolina donating US$700,000 to construct a new steam locomotive workshop for the restoration of No. Popular National Parks: The Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah ; While the Great Smoky Mountains national park doesn't have the oldest mountains, its mountains are definitely up there. Weighing in at three to four or even five times larger than a bobcat, the mountain lion is up to 6 feet long, has an orange-brown to yellow-brown coat, a slender body, a rounded head and a long, cylindrical tail with a dark tip. I kept a close eye over my shoulder the rest of that day. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Its been 20 years since elk were first reintegrated into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and conservation efforts in North Carolina and Tennessee continue to this day. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, TN firing squad bill clears another hurdle, LAPD may not send armed officers to these police, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, Father charged with murder in sons overdose death, Pauls Sawdust Shop offers custom wood pieces, Hitches & Honey offers over 200 jams and jellies, D1 Training provides programs for athletes of all, Pink Princess Party throwing a girly bash, NCAA imposes show-cause penalties on 4 ex-TN staffers, Vol baseball coach Tony Vitello back from suspension, Opening run fuels Lady Vols past Kentucky, From dinner to dessert: How to keep your Thanksgiving meal safe, safe passage for elk and other wildlife over interstate highway and other roadways by creating wildlife overpasses and underpasses, recently announced preparations for construction, Great Smoky Mountains National Park website. He works with park rangers who send him information on reported sightings of mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas. "the nettle diesthe slow and painful death that it deserves" Haha. 107 Park Headquarters Road One, people are releasing them. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (reporting mark GSMR) is a freight and heritage railroad based in Bryson City, North Carolina, United States. The following year, 27 more I then called the Crossville,Tennessee wildlife conservation center and the officer thought I was crazy. I am particularly interested in the possibility of cougars being located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. Be aware, though, and take precautions when youre in their territory. But wouldnt cougars from the West be different than the presumed-extinct Eastern Cougar? Interesting read on "the Barnes girls". The agency line, so to speak, is that there is no official documentation of the presence of cougars occurring in the wild in the state of Tennessee, says Chris Hunter, furbearer program coordinator with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). I have concluded that approximately 40 percent of the reports are probably of a mountain lion, Linzey stated. The railroad operates excursion trains on the former Southern Railway Murphy branch line between Dillsboro and Nantahala, North Carolina. What happened to Dennis Martin. Despite the many claims of cougar sightings that have been reported in Tennessee over the years, wildlife officials insist there are no wild cougars in the state. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. It does not store any personal data. This email address is being protected from spambots. They also prefer to be out in the evening and nighttime, so try to be back at camp by dusk. Since then, the GSMR became one of the most popular tourist railroads in the United States, with about 200,000 passengers each year. 1 A Haymarket resident spotted a large creature that appeared to be a long-tailed cat on a trail cam Monday morning. he shouted. Tweet Greg when you are ready to die from being old or what not let me know and I will come film your valiant yet hopeless last fight with the cougars. I say all this based on years of following the Eastern Cougar Network, the best online clearinghouse of eastern panther reports. Last year, the great grandson of the man who was attacked by the last verified mountain lion in the park was in attendance.. Even raccoons, foxes, and skunks can be dangerous, even though most people dont think of them that way. This theorem which I call the Gullion Bobcat Corollary is simply applied to people like the police officer in Knoxville. I've been distracted with "stuff" but still get in the park a time or two or three each month. Tom Sparks could tell something wasnt right that day in 1920 high up on Spence Field in the Great Smoky Mountains. 2668. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. I didnt have time to exaggerate a bobcat. I'm not quite ready to die yet, but when the time comes, I'd love to be the first person killed and eaten by a mt lion in GSMNP. Those folks who were going about their normal day and were confronted with a scary ball of claws and teeth and pain known as a bobcat. As predators, mountain lions keep a check on the numbers of other mammals, especially deer. As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. 2021 The Smoky Mountain News. Following that period, the experiment was deemed a success and the park moved into a full reintroduction effort. Several months later a cougar was shot near what is now Fontana Village. Mountain lions were common enough well into the 19th century throughout North Carolina. Any large forested area such as the Smoky Mountains is bound to have some dangerous creatures. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WJHL) The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) experienced its second busiest year in 2022 with nearly 13 million visits. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Dont walk up to check on it because Mom is very likely nearby and will charge you. You can start building your own collection of David Bowie memorabilia thanks to his extensive body of music, film and more. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. While the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been historically free to enter, visitation has put a strain on The message I got was a slightly different genre -- the NPS would actually "confirm" that there was at least one cougar in the park. Where they come from, no one can say. Scientists have estimated that the mountain range GSMNP biologist Joe Yarkovich recently conducted an informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ( reporting mark GSMR) is a freight and heritage railroad based in Bryson City, North Carolina, I hope they are in there also I wouldn't be surprised. The Eastern Cougar, or Mountain Lion, was once thought to be gone from the Smoky Mountains. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. However, rare sightings have become more prevalent in recent Its shoulders came up to my hips. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Family Felidae contains a number of species, including jaguars, That third possibility is one that intrigues many who are interested in cougar sightings in the eastern part of the country because cougars, especially young males, are known to travel considerable distances. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Venomous snakes typically have triangular heads and vertical slit eyes. The National Park Service states, Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear is illegal in the park. I mean an 8 hour view is not just adrenaline. They could tell from DNA who his father was in the well studied Florida population. There are about eight to 10 reports of mountain lion sightings a year, some by tourists, some by veterinarians, and some by a wildlife photographer, Linzey said. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If mountain lions are making a comeback in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Donald W. Linzey, a wildlife conservation instructor in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, will be one of the first to know. How much does it cost to park in the Great Smoky Mountains? Perhaps not. A member of my family has also seen one of the cats in the eastern part of the national park. Around 26,000 vehicles per day drive the 28-mile stretch of I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge at the Tennessee-North Carolina border. 1751 and 1755, GP30 (upgrade to a GP30-3) No. By the end of the Know Before You Go: Learn how to behave around bears before you visit their territory. I still follow your blog. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}352546N 832655W / 35.4294N 83.4485W / 35.4294; -83.4485. Sometimes I wish that would happen to a certain other type of plant. Cougars, also known as mountain lions, were once common here and they have left a legacy of place names throughout the state indeed, the entire Southeast. The Great Smoky Mountains Railway (GSMR) owns 53 miles (85 kilometers) of the Murphy Branch, a former branch line of the Southern Railway between Dillsboro and Nantahala, North Carolina. Even so, the iconic landmark itself is a lot older. A bobcat can meow, snarl, hiss, yowl or even scream. [9] Afterwards, the restoration work of No. Cherokee cty NC. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern puma from their endangered species list, declaring that the species is now extinct. Linzey does speak with each person reporting a sighting and gets them to tell him exactly what they saw, including the time of day; color and description of the animal; its behavior; the persons distance from the animal; and if there were more than one observer. If a policeman can mistake a bobcat for a tiger, then it is not in my opinion a gigantic logical leap to assume the majority of people who spot cougars and panthers and mountain lions are not seeing these extremely rare animals. Conservationist say safe passage for elk and other wildlife over interstate highway and other roadways by creating wildlife overpasses and underpasses could be a huge boost to conservation efforts as well as reducing vehicle crashes. What national parks can do to make the outdoors more accessible, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Despite the widely-held belief in the scientific community that eastern mountain lions have been long gone and any cats seen roaming the region these days must have made the long trek from midwestern states like South Dakota, some Appalachian residents remain convinced that the cats never actually left the area. The parking tags, which are license-plate specific, cost $5 for daily parking, $15 for seven days and Eventually, all regional tigers were accounted for. Besides reviewing the sighting reports, Linzey seeks other evidence of mountain lions. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). [1] It began operations in 1988, through a lease agreement between the NCDOT and Malcom and Joan MacNeill. Kyle W, Robbinsville High School. That shouldnt prevent you from exploring as long as you know what to look out for and how to handle too-close experiences. Encouraging them with food, or trying to pet the cute little guys, is not a good idea. However, they vary quite a bit in physical characteristics. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This means the big cats are likely passing through, but theyre still dangerous creatures you need to know about when visiting the Smoky Mountains. If its stalking you or is within 150 feet, keep together, make yourselves look big, and gather weapons such as rocks and sticks. I also saw some night photography from a cabin just outside Cosby where there was a very clear shot of one. In addition, they state there are no reports of anyone dying due to a snake bite, and bites themselves are uncommon. You may just feel bad for a while, or you could have stronger symptoms. Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. Sometimes I wish that would happen to a certain other type of plant. Deep in the park. I saw 2. However, in most instances, there is no supporting evidence such as hair, a photo, a video, track cast, or any other evidence to support the sighting.. The railroad owns the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City, North Carolina; located across Greenlee Street from the Bryson City Depot. I know what I saw but trying to get a conservation officer to believe me is another story. Orobably a momither and off spring. Avoid This Entrance to Smoky Mountains National Park at All Costs - Drivin' & Vibin', [] Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for critters while hiking the Smokies. Both actions will trigger its attack behavior. It managed to pass me unseen and mark trees 200 yards down. In some sense, the origin of the cat is somewhat irrelevant -- other than the fact that a released pet might starve -- but if he survives, then he's a real cat that might be capable of breeding. Wild Boars are especially violent if you get near their children, using their tusks to stab violently. There are photos of a mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn. Three months later a mountain lion was wiped out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut. Indeed, all across Tennessee and in surrounding states people are claiming to have seen these big cats. Thanks to a controversial but very successful reintroduction program, mountain lions are now back in the Great Smoky Mountains after an absence of almost 1702 and installing a new turntable in Bryson City for the locomotive to be turned around. Bobcat encounters are rare and often these animals completely avoid human contact unless they are rabid. Ive seen them.but dont report them. Have you ever seen a mountain lion here in the Smokies region? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation approached Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1990s about the possibility of restoring elk to the park. Yes, I trust (and envy)the sightings of Jenny and others. Give a Gift, 2023 Created by Angela Gosnell. Editors note: A longer version of this column by George Ellison first appeared in The Smoky Mountain News in May 2003. This ride has annually been a major economy boost for the railroad and the town of Bryson City. What could I say? I cant imagine why if Yorkshire Terriers can range from 1 pound to 10 pounds and be a full blooded breed why we couldnt have Bob Cats a lot bigger than this article states. Love national parks, but hate crowds? And I have to make a subjective judgment whether or not the person really saw a cougar. [5], In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak caused the GSMR to suspend operations. Train scenes in the 1999 DreamWorks SKG film Forces of Nature starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock were also filmed on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The bottom line is there are lots of reports, but no hard evidence to back them up. It's the closest I'll ever come to being famous! As part of the areas 26th annual Wilderness Wildlife Week, Linzey will present a talk titled Evidence of Mountain Lions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. in Greenbrier Hall A at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Recently delivered to the GSMR on June 28, 2021. It is in fact well known that every year several young males from the Dakotas, West Texas, and in one case Florida go off on long wanderings in the East. Of course, some redheads in the Park have scared me worst, lol. In 2001, 25 elk from Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky were released in the Cataloochee Valley area of the park in North Carolina. While park visitationhasjumpednearly 60% over the past decade, its funding hasn't grown proportionately, leaving the parkwith millions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs. Something biologists say doesnt even exist. Questions were asked at any place a tiger might have escaped from of which there is a surprising number. [16][17], The famous train wreck scene in the 1993 Warner Brothers blockbuster movie The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones was filmed in Dillsboro along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.[18]. 2023 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Tell us your story! It released its grip and ran away. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy). The only comment I would have on the stories is that I do believe that the citizens of the state truly do believe that they have seen a cougar wild if they say they have seen a cougar. Scent carries more strongly with hot food, so dont hang around outside if youve just picked up dinner to-go. By the end of the 19th century the cougaralso known as panther, painter, puma, catamount and mountain lionwas already rare in the Southeast, the last individuals, aside from those of the separate Florida population, were thought to be in the Smokies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Home What Are The Most Dangerous Creatures in the Smoky Mountains? I welcome your reports and would love to see photographic evidence you may have collected. Terms of Service. Extended range dynamic braking equipped. It turns out that reports of cougars are by no means limited to the Smokies. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. [3] In addition to operating tourists trains, the railroad has transported freight via an interchange with the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad in Sylva near Jackson Paper Manufacturing.[4]. The DNR says not aware of any populations? If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. It came up from the creek, crossed the road and went up the little ridge on the other side. Cow elks soon learned how to better protect themselves and their calves from predators. Have you ever come across any of these animals? var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; The resurgence of a breeding population of mountain lions helps maintain balance in the ecosystem. There are also exemptions for school groups, drivers with disabled parking placards or license pate holders, and people with certain special use permitsor who are conducting permitted research. About 8 years ago I saw one in Big Copeland chasing a deer and it stopped and looked me dead in the eye from about 50 yards away. Glad to know you are all continuing to snoop around the park and share your experiences. Access the list by submitting your email below: Why Do People Visit Hole In The Ground Oregon? Theres never been a melanistic cougar found anywhere.. Let us know in the comments! Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. 1702, which was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in September 1942 for the U.S. Army during World War II. ", Contributing: Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen Times. You can also typically easily identify their tracks. Once I was in an airboat way out in a Florida swamp at 2AM. Game cameras or genetic testing of fur left behind provide evidence. To be clear, this excludes the West Tennessee sightings which have been confirmed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. (NOTE: This story, reprinted courtesy of The Tennessee Conservationistmagazine, first appeared in that publication in 2012. Webthe cougar. That wouldnt surprise Linzey. In cooler months, they tend to hide in rock fissures or under stumps and along streams. Fish and Wildlife Service. Enjoy wildlife viewing, historic homes and churches, and beautiful mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop. The last elk in North Carolina was killed in the late 18th century and the last elk in Tennessee is thought to have been killed in the early 19th century. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. They dont usually attack humans unless they feel threatened or if youve come too close to their babies. Certainly, you can find many of these animals across the country in urban or suburban areas. If it actually attacks, fight as hard as you can, aiming for the face and eyes with your weapons, even if those are just your fingers and teeth. We dont plan to change that model. It seemed to be sticking its head up over a bank to see what the noise was. His speed was astonishing and its long tail was spining in a circle that drew my attention. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Please, however, do not try to pet a bobcat. The best time to view elk is from mid-September to mid-October during the rut season when the herd gathers and male elk become more active and aggressive as they compete for female companions. Never turn your back on a mountain lion. Bobcats are very common in the Smokies region, but they are very secretive and are seldom seen. In 2019, GSMR broke all attendance records, with more than 91,000 people riding the Polar Express excursion alone. You couldnt miss the facial markings and the stripes as it quickly turned away. Even when the Florida population was down to only thirty, several showed up dead on the roadside every year.