Black bears are emerging from their dens in search of food, and Chattanooga area wildlife experts recommend homeowners take action now to remove items that attract hungry bears to their property.
“We’re already getting calls,” Dan Gibbs said by phone. Gibbs is the black bear program coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Sightings have been reported throughout East Tennessee, he said.
Bears are out and about in Georgia as well, Gerald Hodge, founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears, said by phone. Sightings of sows and yearlings, which typically emerge in late March, have been popping up on social media, he said.
“If they’re reading your publication, then they’re in bear country and a bear could show up on their property, and they need to be aware of that and prepared,” Gibbs said.