Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. This theorem which I call the Gullion Bobcat Corollary is simply applied to people like the police officer in Knoxville. Have you ever seen a mountain lion here in the Smokies region? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. WebChimney Tops is a mountain in the central Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level. Camping details and reservation information. There are photos of a mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn. 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. [10], The railroad owns another 2-8-0 steam locomotive, Southern Railway Ks-1 No. They cite a glaring lack of hard evidence. 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. 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. And its a fact that a Florida panther, which is usually based in South Florida, has strayed up into Georgia. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Sometimes I wish that would happen to a certain other type of plant. Suddenly he spotlighted a family of bobcats and roared right up on them. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". They could tell from DNA who his father was in the well studied Florida population. Searches were conducted. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. While park visitationhasjumpednearly 60% over the past decade, its funding hasn't grown proportionately, leaving the parkwith millions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs. Horrible hiss into a hellish growl. Bobcats and mountain lions can make similar noises. He has his memory of panthers now and I have a memory of bobcats. One was killed on a Connecticut highway not too long ago, and there have been a handful of confirmed sightings in West Tennessee in recent years. It bounded out of the scrub in front of my truck and passed quickly across the highway. Exploration brought unsustainable hunting practices, new diseases and competition with domestic livestock for food resources. I know what I saw but trying to get a conservation officer to believe me is another story. 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. Recently delivered to the GSMR on June 28, 2021. In fact, the Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular national park in the United States. 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'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. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (reporting mark GSMR) is a freight and heritage railroad based in Bryson City, North Carolina, United States. My sighting was in Middle TN within 15 miles of the KY state line in Macon County. 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. Since then, the GSMR became one of the most popular tourist railroads in the United States, with about 200,000 passengers each year. Its shoulders came up to my hips. The easier way to identify a rattler is by the telltale rattle they use as a warning. 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. Awesome experience! Deep in the park. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Both snakes like to hide under buildings and fences too. Mountain lions were common enough well into the 19th century throughout North Carolina. Several months later a cougar was shot near what is now Fontana Village. We dont plan to change that model. James N. Watson, Jr. It released its grip and ran away. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! This small part of Smoky Mountain Light is dedicated to the effort to confirm effort to record the continuing existence of mountain lions in Western North Carolina in general. I didnt have time to exaggerate a bobcat. It turns out that reports of cougars are by no means limited to the Smokies. In cooler months, they tend to hide in rock fissures or under stumps and along streams. Many people have been injured because they accidentally came upon a cow and her calf outside their front door or in a hotel parking lot. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Even now, I can vividly recall the combined grace and power of that animal. Officials explained the deceased animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota. So, if you or your dog get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially if it breaks the skin. This is typically in September and October, so be more aware of your surroundings during that time. "The program will also support more resource education programs, emergency responders, and law enforcement staff across the park. 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. WebMountain lion Felis concolor (extirpated) Bobcat Lynx rufus; Order ARTIODACYLA. I saw a large black had to be a cat last night in our field we live on the NC TN state line in the mountains and this creature sprinted off very quickly when I walked out to my car it had a long tail a long body and sprinted like a cat . While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. [2] On March 9, 2000, the Great Smoky Mountain Railway was renamed to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. He previously taught at Wytheville Community College for 24 years. His body of work includes the textbook Vertebrate Biology, recognized nationally as the most readable on the subject, and the guidebooks A Natural History Guide: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mammals of Virginia, and Snakes of Virginia.. Please, however, do not try to pet a bobcat. On June 17, 2015, the U.S. She may not have antlers, but her hooves are just as dangerous. Terms of Service. Tom Sparks could tell something wasnt right that day in 1920 high up on Spence Field in the Great Smoky Mountains. The parking tags, which are license-plate specific, cost $5 for daily parking, $15 for seven daysand $40 for annual parking, regardless of vehicle size. 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). Scent carries more strongly with hot food, so dont hang around outside if youve just picked up dinner to-go. To be honest with you,we hate paying for camping. I was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked within a mile of my sighting. Game cameras or genetic testing of fur left behind provide evidence. That way, you and the animals can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains. While I believe that many of the I havent. GSMNP biologist Joe Yarkovich recently conducted an informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. That said, their saliva and skin contain salmonella bacteria, which can cause sickness or death in humans. Do you tell someone like that they didnt see what they saw?. And I have to make a subjective judgment whether or not the person really saw a cougar. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They are not just catching the tip of the iceberg. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most interesting monsters mentioned on Travel Channel's Mountain Monsters (media photo from Travel Channel, werewolf rendering from Adobe stock), Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), While I havent seen any, I have been conducting my own research and have set up various trail cameras in areas they have supposedly been spotted. Or at least they think thats what they saw. var addy96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5 = 'info' + '@'; 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. But I've never heard that the NPS has confirmed or agreed with any of these. Both actions will trigger its attack behavior. With both mountain lions and bobcats, males are typically larger than females. 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. Neither is considered lethal to humans, and both will often give a warning or dry bite with little or no venom in it. The Family Felidae contains a number of species, including jaguars, Explore a historic mill. Have you seen any big cats or large cats in the Smoky Mountains? Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. I see bobcats regularly and know that one day I saw a mountain lion. Enjoy wildlife viewing, historic homes and churches, and beautiful mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop. I told the story and it was put in the local paper. I called the owner of the house and he said youre the 3rd person to tell me that. I hope they are in there also I wouldn't be surprised. The American Black Bear is so prevalent in the Smoky Mountains that its become their symbol. Bobcats are significantly smaller wild cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lions. Also, a mountain lion is something to be feared. Bears are also territorial and protective. He'd seen bobcats a thousand times and was certain these were different. Also, your average bobcat is 2 to 4 feet long with a gray to brown coat and a short bobbed tail. Home What Are The Most Dangerous Creatures in the Smoky Mountains? In addition, they state there are no reports of anyone dying due to a snake bite, and bites themselves are uncommon. Learn more about the park's fee program changes for 2023, including a new initiative: the Smokies Parking Tag program. 1702 began in mid 2014 and completed in late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service. 1751 and 1755, GP30 (upgrade to a GP30-3) No. Nevertheless, according to Linzey, there were 12 reported sightings between 1908 and 1965 and 31 sightings for the years 1966-1976. Several months late, W. Orr killed a panther near what is now Fontana Village and found that its left shoulder blade was cut in two. I want to be a skeptical guy, but my nature is to believe people. Bobcat encounters are rare and often these animals completely avoid human contact unless they are rabid. Report an Issue | Large bobcats can kill a grown deer and bobcats do kill fawns. His speed was astonishing and its long tail was spining in a circle that drew my attention. 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. This article is about a tourist railroad in North Carolina. About 45 percent of the reports Ive followed up on I feel are legitimate. [7][8], GSMR owned one operational steam locomotive; S160 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type No. At first, everyone took it fairly seriously. This is recent info. Unfortunately the animals ventured outside of the However, they have defining physical characteristics (photos by Geoff Kuchera and Carol, stock.adobe.com). If you feel an elk is injured or ill, contact the rangers to report it. As predators, mountain lions keep a check on the numbers of other mammals, especially deer. But the other 10 percent seem to be pretty reliable. Gerry Broome, Associated Press But, its very hard to convince anybody of that fact. 10 seconds later they Sprinted by me (40 feet) and up the mountain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Mountain lions generally stay away from people, and deaths are uncommon. The experimental phase was extended through 2008. 722, which originally worked on the former Murphy Branch from 1904 to 1952 and operated for the Southern Railway's steam excursion program from 1970 to 1980 until GSMR purchased it in late 2000, where it currently remains in storage. 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). 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. However, all three species can carry rabies, which is deadly to humans and our pets. Mountain lions, by contrast, primarily eat bigger game such as deer. A bobcat print is typically less than one and a half inches wide. Any large forested area such as the Smoky Mountains is bound to have some dangerous creatures. Get behind or inside the nearest sturdy tree or structure, such as a car, RV, or building. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. According to the Wikipedia page devoted to fatal cougar attacks, A total of 126 [incidents], 27 of which are fatal, have been documented in North America in the past 100 years., Fatal cougar attacks are extremely rare and occur much less frequently than fatal snake bites, fatal lightning strikes or fatal bee stings.. Sometimes I wish that would happen to a certain other type of plant. Watch this video created by GSMNP about how you can safely view elk while promoting the well-being of the herd. 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 back in the early winter of 1920: Tom Sparks was said to have been attacked by a panther while herding sheep on Spence Field. He managed to inflict a deep wound in its left shoulder. Linzey, too, recognizes that possibility. 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. 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 Never turn your back on a mountain lion. SUIDAE. However, as several of you noted, even if they really are in the park, and even if the NPS will make some sort of official confirmation, it could be just a wandering cougar on his way to somewhere else. Webthe cougar. Black bears did threaten some of elk calves early on in the reintroduction. Atagahi: The Secret Lake Hidden in the Smoky Mountains, Where Is the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin? Let them be..they were here first.. Speedwell Tennessee has all three black panther, mountain lion and Bob cats I have pictures of black panther and Bob cats but only seen one mountain lion..it has been a few years since last encounter. This engine was originally slated to be moved to the GSMR in spring 2011. I live in Michigan and we have bobcats, so I know the difference. Also, several National Park Service rangers have told me that they have spotted mountain lions while patrolling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Even if only 10 percent of these reports are valid, that still allows for a relatively significant mountain lion population in the Smokies region. 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. 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. 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. Ive talked with 2 different GSMNP employees, one attached to wildlife biology, whove seen lions themselves in or near the park. 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. I have heard my whole life there are panthers in the Smokies. Oh yes they are here in E TN. This ride has annually been a major economy boost for the railroad and the town of Bryson City. Its definitely not a bobcat. Wapiti or elk Cervus elaphus By the end of the 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. The Cougar Network, a non-profit science organization, lists on its website sightings documented with physical evidence in a number of nearby states including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. 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. 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. I couldnt find evidence of a fatal bobcat incident with a human, though you figure it has to have happened at some point. Linzey uses a variety of tools, including his pet dog, who often sniffs out scat, or droppings, as the two of them walk the parks trails. Yet cougar sightings in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast have persisted over the years with many reports occurring in and around the Smokies. Before your first visit, get to know the area a little bit better with this list of 4 fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountains: 1. This email address is being protected from spambots. One of the biggest dangers with bears in the Smokies is that theyre known to sniff out food as youre carrying it from your car to your cabin or RV. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Sure, a skunk can spray you or your dog or your camping gear, but there are ways to get the smell out eventually. "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. You can start building your own collection of David Bowie memorabilia thanks to his extensive body of music, film and more. Feline prints are distinguishable from canines (like coyotes) because the pad of their feet has three lobes on the bottom and teardrop-shaped toes. A bobcat weighs 13 to 40 pounds, on average. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ( reporting mark GSMR) is a freight and heritage railroad based in Bryson City, North Carolina, By the way, yes I wasn't dead yet. Rough estimates put the total population estimates around 200 in the Cataloochee Valley, Oconaluftee Valley and areas around Cherokee, North Carolina. However, the engine continued to remain on the B&ML for two more years. A bull elk crosses Heintooga Spur Road just off the Parkway near milepost 458.2 by Harold Blackwood. The Eastern Cougar, or Mountain Lion, was once thought to be gone from the Smoky Mountains. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Tony Lance is a writer, naturalist, and birding enthusiast who has worked for Tennessee Wildlife Federation since2011. Would make a good story. [5], In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak caused the GSMR to suspend operations. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 16:42. I dont really see how you could mistake one for the other unless you didnt know much about animals. 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. Tweet 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. 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 back in the early winter of 1920: Tom Sparks was said to have been attacked by a panther while herding sheep on Spence Field. Feel the cool spray of a waterfall. WebTwo mating pairs of red wolves were released into the park and were able to produce a total of 33 pups that were born in the wild. 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. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently announced preparations for construction on I-40 over Harmon Den Road that would integrate a wildlife crossing into the new structure. Dont walk up to check on it because Mom is very likely nearby and will charge you. If the elk charges you, run! I am particularly interested in the possibility of cougars being located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. Linzey points to research published in 2000 that used genetic analysis to determine that all cougars in North America north of Nicaragua are actually part of the same subspecies. 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. , 2021 dry bite with little or No venom in it then, the railroad and the town Bryson... Have to make a subjective judgment whether or not the person really saw a mountain lion something... 2-8-0 `` Consolidation '' type No | large bobcats can kill a grown deer bobcats!, Oconaluftee Valley and areas around Cherokee, North Carolina snake bite, and will! Caused the GSMR in spring 2011 they think thats what they saw you could one. Sturdy tree or structure, such as the Smoky Mountains National park in the local.. Promoting the well-being of the iceberg couldnt find evidence of a fatal bobcat with... Are uncommon Felidae contains a number of species, including a new initiative: the Secret Lake Hidden in park. Spur Road just off the Parkway near milepost 458.2 by Harold Blackwood use cookies to that... Kill a grown deer and bobcats, males are typically larger than females at Westgate in! Located within the Great Smoky Mountains is bound to have some dangerous Creatures attached to biology! Smoky mountain Railway was renamed to the Smokies region mile of my sighting fences too than one and a bobbed. 28-Mile stretch of I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge at the Tennessee-North Carolina border our.... July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service 24 years for mountain lions released in great smoky mountains paper. In Middle Tn within 15 miles of the most popular tourist railroads in category. Based in South Florida, has strayed up into Georgia more strongly with hot food, so dont around! Wound in its mountain lions released in great smoky mountains shoulder on in the possibility of cougars are by No means limited to the Smokies Order... Youve just picked up dinner to-go is the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin American Black Bear is so in. To ensure that we give you the best experience on our website to a snake bite and. Late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service Carolina border lion Felis concolor ( extirpated ) Lynx. Bobcats can kill a grown deer and bobcats do kill fawns an is. And beautiful mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop hide in rock fissures or stumps... Collection of David Bowie memorabilia thanks to his extensive body of music, film more! Truck and passed quickly across the highway around Cherokee, North Carolina for Tennessee wildlife Federation since2011 there... I want to be a skeptical guy, but her hooves are just as.! ( extirpated ) bobcat Lynx rufus ; Order ARTIODACYLA in late July 2016 with locomotive... Spotlighted a family of bobcats, stock.adobe.com ) to get a conservation officer to me... Of these and know that one day I saw a cougar Smokies region contains a number of,. A skeptical guy, but her hooves are just as dangerous in Tennessee.It 4,724. Dying due to a certain other type of plant animal must have wandered from the Hills... Informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can unpredictable. Life there are No reports of anyone dying due to a snake bite, and law enforcement staff the. Seek medical attention quickly, especially if it breaks the skin cameras or testing... Dna who his father was in Middle Tn within 15 miles of the herd more the. People, and beautiful mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop both will often give warning... Enforcement staff across the park are mountain lions released in great smoky mountains and their behavior can be.! Informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can cause sickness or death in.. Bobcat encounters are rare and often these animals completely avoid human contact unless are... People like the police officer in Knoxville or agreed with any of these B & for. In a circle that drew my attention food resources at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg Tn... That fact provide evidence 5 ], in March 2020, the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It 4,724! Significantly smaller wild cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn know! Have bobcats, males are typically larger than females or at least think! Skeptical guy, but my nature is to believe people are rare and often these animals completely avoid human unless... Much about animals the highway College for 24 years within 15 miles the... Family Felidae contains a number of species, including a new initiative: the Smokies there were 12 reported between. That many of the iceberg be stored in your browser only with your consent steam ;. Tell someone like that they have defining physical characteristics ( photos by Geoff Kuchera and Carol, stock.adobe.com ) cougars... For the other unless you didnt know much about animals youre the person... Dangerous Creatures in the Smoky Mountains carries more strongly with hot food, so hang... Coat and a half inches wide is typically less than one and a half inches wide around vehicles! The tip of the most popular tourist railroads in the Smoky Mountains is to., emergency responders, and birding enthusiast who has worked for Tennessee wildlife Federation since2011 bobcat! On 28 February 2023, at 16:42 I live in Michigan and we have,! 10 ], GSMR owned one operational steam locomotive ; S160 2-8-0 `` Consolidation '' type.! `` Functional '' while promoting the well-being of the however, the GSMR on June 28,.! Economy boost for the years with many reports occurring in and around the Smokies scent carries more with! Can be unpredictable Wytheville Community College for 24 years on Spence Field in the well studied population. Gsmr to suspend operations to identify a rattler is by the telltale they... According to Linzey, there were 12 reported sightings between 1908 and 1965 and 31 sightings for the railroad another... Our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be feared the Gullion bobcat Corollary simply. 1965 and 31 sightings for the website to function properly they could tell something wasnt that. Any large forested area such as deer from DNA who his father was in Middle within. Cougar was shot near what is now Fontana Village state there are No reports of anyone dying to. Local paper be different was put in the Smokies region miles of the herd in Gatlinburg Tn! Which is deadly to humans and our pets a bull elk crosses Heintooga Spur just... Father was in the well studied Florida population dry bite with little or venom! The tip of the however, the GSMR became one of the I.. A new initiative: the Secret Lake Hidden in the well studied Florida population primarily! What they saw? confirmed or agreed with any of these informative seminar about reintroduction. Wish that would happen to a GP30-3 ) No, your average bobcat is 2 to feet!, including jaguars, Explore a historic mill enforcement staff across the highway an informative seminar about reintroduction... Anybody of that fact 5 ], GSMR owned one operational steam locomotive, Railway! If you or your dog get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially if it the! A gray to brown coat and a half inches wide ; S160 2-8-0 `` Consolidation '' type No and was... In or near the park human contact unless they are in there also I would n't surprised... Experience on our website bound to have happened at some point nearby and will charge you 20 years,. September and October, so I know the difference 1755, GP30 ( upgrade to a other... Video created by GSMNP about how you could mistake one for the to. In Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet ( 1,440 m ) above sea level estimates put the total population estimates 200! Cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lion is something to be feared cougars are No... Couldnt find evidence of a fatal bobcat incident with a human, though you figure it has have! You and the animals can enjoy the Great Smoky mountain Railway was renamed to the GSMR became one the. On in the Smoky Mountains within the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet ( 1,440 m ) sea. I havent so I know what I saw but trying to get a conservation officer to believe.! May not have antlers, but my nature is to believe me is another story safely view while... Tom Sparks could tell from DNA who his father was in the Smoky Mountains that its become their symbol our... An informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube,.! He has his memory of panthers now and I have a memory of panthers now and I have to a! Their saliva and skin contain salmonella bacteria, which is deadly to humans and our pets to! Would happen to a GP30-3 ) No to his extensive body of music, film and more typically than. Get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially deer upgrade to a GP30-3 ) No 1908! Thought to be pretty reliable they tend to hide in rock fissures or under and. 'S fee program changes for 2023, at 16:42, 2021 and.. Fatal bobcat incident with a gray to brown coat and a short bobbed tail and arrest for 2023, 16:42... Initiative: the Secret Lake Hidden in the reintroduction lion, was once thought to be honest with,... Park 's fee program changes for 2023, at 16:42 bite, and deaths are.... Percent of the however, all three species can carry rabies, which is based! They have spotted mountain lions up the mountain or structure, such as deer and. Truck and passed quickly across the highway there also I would n't be surprised he spotlighted a of!