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| Bear Track on Geological Trail at the Breaks |
While doing a routine trail check on the park last week, I took this photograph of a track in the snow that came from what has to be one of our coolest park residents! Black Bears (Ursus americanus) were at one time completely absent from our area. This was due to a combination of habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. It was guessed that by the early 1900s the American Black Bear was all but extinct here. Over the years as regulations were put in place to control logging and other such activities, and our forests once again began to grow and mature, Black Bears slowly began to make their return to our region from areas in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Black Bears are now frequently seen guests at the park, and have no problem making themselves right at home. In fact, campers have to be careful not to leave garbage out after dark or they may awaken to find that their garbage has been scattered all over the campground. Although our bears are very used to being watched by people, they are wild animals so if you want to observe them, do it from afar.
American Black Bears are one of the true success stories for our area, and one that we are very proud of. So if you are in the area this summer, stop by and you may be lucky enough to see one of the most interesting animals that call Breaks Interstate Park their home!
For additional information, visit Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Website and Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's Website
For information on how to deal with bears as their numbers grow in our areas, watch this video.
I can be reached by e-mailing me at jraines@breakspark.com
