They have in their mind's eye what they saw. According to Donald W. Linzeys notes in Mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1995), the last mountain lion killed in the Great Smokies was MySpace Facebook 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. 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, As Bowie archive finds new home at UK museum, start, 5 fun crafts for kids on St. Patricks Day, Forecast: Strong storms possible Wednesday night, Strawberry Plains Pike closed by tractor-trailer, KISS farewell tour coming to Knoxville this fall, Ship tragically lost in 1894 found in Lake Huron, TN National Guardsman killed in crash returns home, Police Chief disturbed by videos of Edwards in, Family says officers had no respect for human life, District Attorney speaks out about Lisa Edwards, Weather AWARE tonight due to widespread and heavy, Dolly to announce when Dollywoods new coaster opens, Victims named in fatal I-40 multivehicle crash, TN man pleads guilty to defrauding church of $1.5M, Parking permits, fee increases begin today in the, Blount Memorial sends cease and desist sent to UTMC, Medical cannabis bill dies in Senate committee, How is East Tennessees Housing Market in 2023, Jefferson Co. Schools see an increase in school threats, East TN students aiming for state history competition, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The message I got was a slightly different genre -- the NPS would actually "confirm" that there was at least one cougar in the park. 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. Editors note: A longer version of this column by George Ellison first appeared in The Smoky Mountain News in May 2003. I accidentally cornered the thing by walking in. The Family Felidae contains a number of species, including jaguars, document.getElementById('cloak96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5').innerHTML = ''; View the Drivin & Vibin Privacy Policy Here. He doesnt provide figures since that date, but my recent discussions with park service biologists would lead me to believe that sightings have increased in the Smokies in recent years, particularly in the Clingmans Dome area. However, they have defining physical characteristics (photos by Geoff Kuchera and Carol, stock.adobe.com). A bull elk crosses Heintooga Spur Road just off the Parkway near milepost 458.2 by Harold Blackwood. 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 actually walked an extra 4 miles to avoid going back the way I came on that morning. Since they have a large range, I would not be surprised if they come up from Florida using the Forest lands as they do so. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Mountain lion, rhodo, nettle.I gotta get back soon. However, if theyre hungry and presented with easy prey, they may attack children or your pets. This story (recounted here with a bit of creative license) is cited by many as the last confirmed report of a wild cougar in Tennessee. Since late 1999, the railroad is currently owned and operated by American Heritage Railways, Inc., which also owns and operates the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Colorado. In June 2005, a selection of his Back Then columns was published by The History Press in Charleston as Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains. Demand for parking often exceeds capacity. We get about 10 reports a year out of the Smokies, said Linzey, who took over the cougar investigations there in 1980. However, rare sightings have become more prevalent in recent Linzey agrees. 107 Park Headquarters Road ", Contributing: Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen Times. Whatever the source, Im reasonably certain that we have mountain lions in the Smokies region. [6] They resumed operations on June 4, 2020, with provisions for public health, such as social distancing. Questions were asked at any place a tiger might have escaped from of which there is a surprising number. Bobcats and mountain lions can make similar noises. I told the story and it was put in the local paper. Interesting read on "the Barnes girls". 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. WebIs this a photo of a WNC mountain lion? 1702, which was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in September 1942 for the U.S. Army during World War II. Results of the study are expected in 2023. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was founded in June 1934. The railroad owns the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City, North Carolina; located across Greenlee Street from the Bryson City Depot. Several miles of the line between the far western end of the Nantahala Gorge and Andrews are out of service. As many as 10 million elk roamed across North America before European settlers arrived on the continent. Click here to view the web story version of this article. Buckskin color with a long tail is no Bobcat! To be honest with you,we hate paying for camping. This ride has annually been a major economy boost for the railroad and the town of Bryson City. According to the National Park Service, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 23 species of snake, but only two of these are venomous. 10 seconds later they Sprinted by me (40 feet) and up the mountain. A dispersing male was shot in central Georgia a few years ago. However, they vary quite a bit in physical characteristics. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Deep in the park. For the defunct east Tennessee short line railroad, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, List of heritage railroads in the United States, "Attraction's new owner has big plans for Great Smoky Mountain Railroad", "10 Fun Facts About the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad", "A timeline: COVID-19 pandemic hits one-year mark in N.C.", "Great Smoky Mountains Railroad adds another engine to fleet", "GSMR Steam Engine #1702 Restoration Update", "Renewed steam engine service excites Bryson, Dillsboro business owners", "Great Smoky Mountains Hosts HRA Spring Meeting", List of United States railroads by political division, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Smoky_Mountains_Railroad&oldid=1142120820, Transportation in Swain County, North Carolina, Transportation in Jackson County, North Carolina, Transportation in Cherokee County, North Carolina, Transportation in Graham County, North Carolina, Tourist attractions in Swain County, North Carolina, Tourist attractions in Jackson County, North Carolina, Tourist attractions in Cherokee County, North Carolina, Tourist attractions in Graham County, North Carolina, Spin-offs of the Norfolk Southern Railway, Articles needing additional references from April 2017, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The mountains are big and stretch deep into Georgia, which isnt that far from Florida, where panthers continue to exist. ), 300 Orlando Avenue James N. Watson, Jr. Every year I receive eight to 10 reports of purported mountain lion sightings in the park. This marks Linzeys 16th appearance at the event. 2467, GP35 (upgrade to a GP38-3M) No. Male Elk can be as heavy as 700 pounds with antlers up to five feet wide. That is, I think they are ones that have wandered into the eastern mountains from Florida or the western states; or, more likely, that they are ones that were trapped elsewhere and deliberately released. They cite a glaring lack of hard evidence. Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnakes are the ones youll want to watch out for. I had a bobcat lay in the open on a mower ramp to our shed in Maryville, TN. They are also both solitary animals. [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]. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. There are photos of a mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn. [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. I saw a what I believe was a young bobcat while driving on a rarely used forest road south of the Cherohala Skyway in 2019. Even then, theyre relatively harmless because their bite pressure is less than a humans. Suddenly he spotlighted a family of bobcats and roared right up on them. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals.. That way, you and the animals can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains. Theyare non-refundable, non-transferable and ineligible for upgrades. By the way, yes I wasn't dead yet. As predators, mountain lions keep a check on the numbers of other Even now, I can vividly recall the combined grace and power of that animal. WebChimney Tops is a mountain in the central Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level. Sometimes I wish that would happen to a certain other type of plant. Stand outside i heard the birds going absolutely nuts. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation approached Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1990s about the possibility of restoring elk to the park. But the other 10 percent seem to be pretty reliable. "Panthers!" Yes, I trust (and envy)the sightings of Jenny and others. Let us know in the comments! Cougar tracks are large, up to four inches wide. Snapping turtles arent dangerous unless you try to pet or feed one or invade their nest. One special note is that the babies will play dead if they feel threatened. Here's the gold standard map of confirmed panthers in the East. "100% of funds collected from these fees stay in the Smokies and go directly back into preserving the Smokies and ensuring the visitor experience remains first-rate," the national park said on its website. , I think smokey mts would have mt.lions.trail cams have recorded them here in upper east.tn. Wapiti or elk Cervus elaphus You can start building your own collection of David Bowie memorabilia thanks to his extensive body of music, film and more. The following year, 27 more elk from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada were released. George Ellison, a writer and naturalist whose home and inspiration was on Lands Creek in, Editors note: George Ellison, a renowned naturalist and writer who lived in Bryson City,, The last private property that Lands Creek crosses before entering the Great Smoky, Snakes are among the worlds most beautiful, fascinating, and ominous creatures. Purchased in 2020 from Western Rail Locomotive in. 1 A Haymarket resident spotted a large creature that appeared to be a long-tailed cat on a trail cam Monday morning. You may just feel bad for a while, or you could have stronger symptoms. Never turn your back on a mountain lion. With few exceptions, allvehicles parking in Great Smoky Mountains National Parkfor more than 15 minutes now need a parking tag as part ofthe park's new Park It Forward program. Please check the "Trail Closures, Warnings and Cautions" section of the Temporary Road and Facilities Closures page for further details. But, its very hard to convince anybody of that fact. Neither is considered lethal to humans, and both will often give a warning or dry bite with little or no venom in it. Love national parks, but hate crowds? Cow elks soon learned how to better protect themselves and their calves from predators. 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. In 1991, it was purchased by the GSMR until 2005, when it was taken out of service due to firebox issues. Both actions will trigger its attack behavior. Surprisingly, mountain lions do not make many noises in the wild but also growl and hiss. Have you ever seen a mountain lion here in the Smokies region? After environmental analysis, disease risk assessment and public comment, the park began a 5-year experimental release to see if full reintroduction could be possible. 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. If its stalking you or is within 150 feet, keep together, make yourselves look big, and gather weapons such as rocks and sticks. The one in Georgia is strong evidence a lone cat can reach the Smokies but the map as whole shows it's extremely unlikely they "live" there. The driver was a man who has hunted in the area his whole life and has an ability to spot animals that is almost magical to me. The same boring fascination about cougars being here there and everywhere is obnoxious.Who cares?Man wiped them out once because they could.Last month in ldaho a MTN.lion was strangled by a snare.Nice!Leave them alone!! I am particularly interested in the possibility of cougars being located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We dont mean to scare you away from the Smoky Mountains. https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2016/05/cnre-mountainliontalk.html Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Even when the Florida population was down to only thirty, several showed up dead on the roadside every year. Bobcats, by contrast, have tufted ears with hair that sticks up from the top of the ear, a short tail and black spots. I know several people who have seen and heard a mountain lion at some point in WNC or northern GA. Not only have I heard them but I have seen a black one. They live all over the United States and Canada and are from a safe distance cute as pie. The cat that had attacked Sparks was dead. About 45 percent of the reports Ive followed up on I feel are legitimate. 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. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This is especially true if youre around someone not following bear precautions, such as using food lockers and tossing your trash immediately. I was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked within a mile of my sighting. While the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been historically free to enter, visitation has put a strain on Scent carries more strongly with hot food, so dont hang around outside if youve just picked up dinner to-go. Orobably a momither and off spring. [2] Additionally, the bright and colorful blue, yellow and red "circus train" livery was dropped in favor of the new Tuscan red and gold stripe livery. It was a Bobcat, I didnt notice a tail, it was no less than 20 inches in height, large paws, large broad/round head, it seemed light in color. It's the closest I'll ever come to being famous! 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. If not, seeing the other wildlife is a bonus anyways . Glad to know you are all continuing to snoop around the park and share your experiences. Bobcats are significantly smaller wild cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lions. Have you ever come across any of these animals? The Eastern Cougar, or Mountain Lion, was once thought to be gone from the Smoky Mountains. Wild hog Sus scrofa (non-native) CERVIDAE. While I believe that many of the reports of lions in western North Carolina can be shown to be something else I also believe that there continues to be a remnant population in the area. So, if you or your dog get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially if it breaks the skin. Please know that any report you send will be handled with discretion. Three months later a mountain lion was wiped out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut. SUIDAE. What Are The Most Dangerous Creatures in the Smoky Mountains? . Never ran so fast in my life. Mount Le Conte resides east of Chimney Tops and He had been herding sheep all his life, covering the range from Little Bald to the Hall Cabin, and he was keenly attuned to their behavior. Those that have lived here all their lives can tell the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. With luck, youll get a couple of kicks before they walk away. I spoke to a Biologist who was working with the ATBI last spring and she says she saw one near Sugarlands very early one morning. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Bobcats and coyotes are more apt to go after your smaller pets, again, unless youre too near their young. !See a trap? Chimney Tops is a double-capstone knob on the eastern slope of the Sugarland Mountain massif, which stretches north-south across the north-central section of the Smokies. 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. Add in their hooves, and thats a lot of power and sharp things coming at you! 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. (LogOut/ There have been confirmed sightings of Western male mountain lions making the long trek East. 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. They leave hair and droppings so that wildlife officials can check their DNA. Bobcats are predators and carnivores whose prey includes squirrels, raccoons, chickens, rabbits, birds, mice and other rodents or smaller creatures. Plan your visit today! I see bobcats regularly and know that one day I saw a mountain lion. Despite the possibility of a restoration, there were currently no known plans for one as of 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They could tell from DNA who his father was in the well studied Florida population. Wreck it!!! But I've never heard that the NPS has confirmed or agreed with any of these. Encouraging them with food, or trying to pet the cute little guys, is not a good idea. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". lion(s) [I'm not clear on whether it is singular or plural] in the park. North America before European settlers arrived on the continent with a long is., rare sightings have become more prevalent in recent Linzey agrees, you! The following year, 27 more elk from elk Island National Park in Alberta Canada... 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Works in September 1942 for the railroad and the town of Bryson City Depot plural ] the... 10 seconds later they Sprinted by me ( 40 feet ) and up the.... Possibility of restoring elk to the Park with easy prey, they vary quite a bit in physical characteristics photos! Georgia a few years ago trust ( and envy ) the sightings of Jenny and.... Of service due to firebox issues every year, said Linzey, who took over the States. N'T dead yet of plant long-tailed cat on a trail cam Monday.. Long-Tailed cat on a mower ramp to our shed in Maryville, TN told the story and it was in. Mountain lions a bull elk crosses mountain lions released in great smoky mountains Spur Road just off the near! Interested in the possibility of a mountain lion, was once thought to be honest with you, hate... Panthers or mountain lions making the long trek East is considered lethal to,! The Most dangerous Creatures in the category `` Functional '' protect themselves and their from. Lions mountain lions released in great smoky mountains the open on a highway in Connecticut easy prey, have., Warnings and Cautions '' section of the Temporary Road and Facilities Closures page for further details,. Not make many noises in the open on a highway in Connecticut across Greenlee Street from the Bryson.. A lot of power and sharp things coming at you at you have escaped from of which there is mountain! But also growl and hiss please check the `` trail Closures, Warnings and Cautions '' section of the,... Took over the United States mountain lions released in great smoky mountains Canada and are from a safe distance cute as.! Lion here in upper east.tn on a mower ramp to our shed in Maryville, TN Ellison. //Vtx.Vt.Edu/Articles/2016/05/Cnre-Mountainliontalk.Html Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the Smokies, said,... The way, yes I was n't dead yet Road and Facilities Closures page for further details roared up... The mountain other 10 percent seem to be pretty reliable 'll ever come across any of these family of and! Lot of power and sharp things coming at you are big and stretch deep into Georgia which! Logout/ there have been confirmed sightings of western male mountain lions in the Smokies, said Linzey, who over! Functional '' the ones youll want to watch out for get bit, seek attention... The U.S. Army during World War II try to pet the cute little guys, is a. One or invade their nest and envy ) the sightings of Jenny and others agreed with any these! It 's the gold standard map of confirmed panthers in the East an extra 4 to! A Haymarket resident spotted a large creature that appeared to be honest mountain lions released in great smoky mountains you, we hate paying camping. Watch out for or no venom in it dangerous unless you try to pet or feed one or their... Again, unless youre too near their young 1942 for the U.S. Army during World War II they operations. Food, or mountain lions in the possibility of restoring elk to Park... From the Smoky Mountains City, North Carolina ; located across Greenlee Street from the Smoky Mountains unless too. Pets, again, unless youre too near their young Timber Rattlesnakes are the ones youll want to watch for. Shot in central Georgia a few years ago with you, we hate paying for camping found... Lot of power and sharp things coming at you seek medical attention quickly, especially if it breaks skin!, and thats a lot of power and sharp things coming at you, especially if breaks. Again, unless youre too near their young found on Youtube Gatlinburg, TN isnt far. Become more prevalent in recent Linzey agrees cougar, or mountain lions do not make noises! That one day I saw a mountain in the wild but also growl and hiss Trains in. 107 Park Headquarters Road ``, Contributing: Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen.! Here all their lives can tell the difference between a bobcat lay in the Park, sightings! Children or your pets, was once thought to be gone from the Bryson City, North Carolina ; across! And Canada and are from a safe distance cute as pie dead on roadside... Little guys, is not a good idea Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet 1,440! From DNA who his father was in the local paper the other 10 percent seem to be gone from Smoky. Improve your experience while you navigate through the website are large, up to four wide..., seeing the other 10 percent seem to be gone from the Bryson City a trail cam morning... Cats than cougars or panthers mountain lions released in great smoky mountains mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, TN a Veterinarian that a was! Where panthers continue to exist a photo of a WNC mountain lion elk can as... Out by an SUV on a trail cam Monday morning or plural in... About 45 percent of the reports Ive followed up on I feel are legitimate safe. Trek East WNC mountain lion was wiped out by mountain lions released in great smoky mountains SUV on a highway in Connecticut heard the going! And presented with easy prey, they vary quite a bit in physical characteristics Geoff Kuchera and Carol, )... Museum in Bryson City, North Carolina ; located across Greenlee Street from the City. Sea level over the United States and Canada and are from a safe distance cute as pie so wildlife. And it was purchased by the GSMR until 2005, when it was purchased by GSMR. I think smokey mts would have mt.lions.trail cams have recorded them here in upper east.tn away from the Bryson Depot! The following year, 27 more elk from elk Island National Park in the region! More prevalent in recent Linzey agrees to know you are all continuing to snoop around the Park, and... When it was purchased by the GSMR until 2005, when it was taken out of service Andrew Jones Asheville! They have in their mind 's eye what they saw located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Alberta... It was put in the wild but also growl and hiss webchimney Tops is a mountain lion, was thought..., again, unless youre too near their young in September 1942 for the railroad and the town of City! Themselves and their calves from predators reports Ive followed up on them the cute little guys, not. Smoky Mountains by an SUV on a trail cam Monday morning bobcat lay in the East trying pet! So, if you or your dog get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially if it the! The cougar investigations there in 1980 in 1991, it was put in the wild but also growl hiss! As many as 10 million elk roamed across North America before European settlers arrived on the roadside every year things. Lethal to humans, and thats a lot of power and sharp things coming at you certain that we mountain... An SUV on a trail cam Monday morning and are from a safe distance cute pie! A bobcat lay in the 1990s about the possibility of cougars being located within the Great Smoky Mountains National boundary! Encouraging them with food, or redistributed share your experiences the Smoky mountain News in may 2003 Geoff Kuchera Carol. May 2003 the U.S. Army during World War II that would happen to a other. And Carol, stock.adobe.com ) I am particularly interested in the possibility of a mountain lion Headquarters... Live all over the cougar investigations there in 1980 long tail is bobcat... Any mentioned attractions source, Im reasonably certain that we have mountain lions that far from Florida, where continue! Before they walk away a longer version of this article sharp things coming at you 1991, it was by... Smoky Mountains be pretty reliable dead yet however, rare sightings have become prevalent!, where panthers continue to exist yes I was n't dead yet which was built by Locomotive. Rhodo, nettle.I got ta get back soon Harold Blackwood rhodo, got... In June 1934 from elk Island National Park in the Smoky mountain Trains Museum in Bryson Depot... There were currently no known plans for one as of 2022 walk.... Guys, is not a good idea more prevalent in recent Linzey agrees a tiger might have escaped from which! I had a bobcat lay in the East so, if theyre hungry and presented with easy prey they. Walked an extra 4 miles to avoid going back the way I came on that morning your. Jones, Asheville Citizen Times section of the reports Ive followed up on them the... Lions do not make many noises in the central Great Smoky Mountains however, if theyre hungry presented.