Are there bears in Knoxville, Tennessee? It's less common than Gatlinburg but not impossible

Bear encounters are less common in Knoxville than in Gatlinburg, but they're certainly not impossible.

It's not unheard of for bears to venture into Knoxville, and there have been a handful of sightings in the Scruffy City over recent years. In fact, they've become more common over the past decade, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesperson Matthew Cameron said in an email to Knox News.

The increased frequency is due to bear population growth and natural range expansion, he said. Additionally, Knoxville is situated in the Tennessee River Valley between two major mountain chains, meaning bears often pass through the city when traveling from one to the other.

Recent bear sightings in Knoxville, Tennessee

• In April 2023, a bear was spotted at several locations on the east side of town as well as in the Old City.
• A bear wandered into downtown Knoxville in December 2022 and was seen on Central Street and Hill Avenue.
• In 2020, a bear was spotted in the Fountain City area.

What part of Tennessee has bears?

Black bears in Tennessee live in two main regions, according to the TWRA page of TN.gov . The Appalachian Population can be found along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, and the Cumberland Population is located along the Tennessee-Kentucky border in the northern part of the Cumberland Plateau.

Bears once could be found from Memphis to Mountain City, spanning the entire state, Cameron said in an email. The population shrank and was confined to Tennessee's more remote, mountainous areas due to factors such as chestnut blight, land-use changes, persecution and lack of hunting regulations, he explained.

What should you do if you see a bear in Knoxville?

You can help keep bears wild and prevent dangerous human-bear interactions by avoiding feeding or approaching a bear, securing garbage and recycling, putting away bird feeders, keeping pet food inside and cleaning and storing grills after use, according to BearWise.org.

BearWise.org recommends a few basic guidelines to help keep people safe in a black bear encounter, depending on where you see the bear.

• If the bear is indoors or near a dumpster or building, back away and give it a clear escape route, and if it's inside leave doors open.
• If the bear is in your backyard, remain a safe distance away and make loud noises to scare it away. Be sure it's gone before letting any pets out or removing items that might have attracted it.
• If the bear is in the woods, back away slowly and quietly. Never run, as that might trigger the bear's chase response.
• If you are approached by the bear, stand your ground and try to appear as large as possible. Make loud noises.
• If a black bear charges you, use bear spray. If it makes contact, fight back using your surroundings. Do not play dead.

Bears in East Tennessee: Why Gatlinburg has seen so many - and why humans are the problem

Who should I call if I see a bear in Knoxville?

If you see a bear in Knoxville, it's recommended you call the non-emergency line at 865-215-4010 unless you are in immediate danger, in which case you should call 911.

In the case of human-bear conflict in Knoxville, such as a bear accessing garbage or damaging property, contact the Region 4 TWRA office at (423) 522-7037.

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Are there bears in Knoxville, Tennessee? It's less common than Gatlinburg but not impossible