They are in the WMAS of North Georgia. I know it's offensive to disagree with what people see with their own eyes. Male Elk can be as heavy as 700 pounds with antlers up to five feet wide. WebHundreds of years ago, extensive herds of the great Eastern Elk roamed the Southern Appalachian mountains, which the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smoky Mountains are part of. Buckskin color with a long tail is no Bobcat! Mountain lions generally stay away from people, and deaths are uncommon. Of course, some redheads in the Park have scared me worst, lol. Its my supposition that any mountain lions living in this region today arent descendents of the genetic stock that were originally here. A Smokies panther would be either such an animal or the usual released pet theory. And of those 43 percent involve more than one person., In 1976 a female with two young came down to a creek in the Chimneys Campground. The move was awkward but he felt the blade sink into the attackers body. 2467, GP35 (upgrade to a GP38-3M) No. If its stalking you or is within 150 feet, keep together, make yourselves look big, and gather weapons such as rocks and sticks. A dispersing male was shot in central Georgia a few years ago. I stayed at an AirB&B in Rock Island, Tennessee right after Thanksgiving last month and saw a mountain lion run right in front of me in the pasture next to the house. He works with park rangers who send him information on reported sightings of mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas. I have seen a big cat off Rocky Flats Road just north of 321. Awesome experience! Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals.. Indeed, all across Tennessee and in surrounding states people are claiming to have seen these big cats. 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. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. 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. That way, you and the animals can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains. They like to hang out on rocky ledges, and anywhere they can soak up the sun. In 2011 that view was made official when, after being on the Endangered Species List since 1973, the Eastern Cougar was declared extinct by the U.S. :See America's least-visited gems. To get a more accurate gauge of the total population, graduate students at the University of Tennessee in coordination with partners are conducting a regional population study using fecal DNA analysis of areas frequented by elk. Nearly everyone agrees that its only a matter of time before cougars make their way back into Tennessees woods. 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. Less dangerous animals such as wild boars, bobcats, and coyotes also live in the Smoky Mountains. Road Closures Due to Weather In 1928 Albert F. Ganier, writing in the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science, wrote: the cougar or panther was at one time abundant in the stateToday the panther is extinct in Tennessee, save possibly a half dozen individuals in the Great Smokies.. The resurgence of a breeding population of mountain lions helps maintain balance in the ecosystem. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked within a mile of my sighting. Cow elks soon learned how to better protect themselves and their calves from predators. document.getElementById('cloak96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5').innerHTML = ''; 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. 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. Also, your average bobcat is 2 to 4 feet long with a gray to brown coat and a short bobbed tail. I recently purchased land in Quebeck, Tennessee, so now I know I have to be on my awares. addy96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5 = addy96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5 + 'georgeellison' + '.' + 'com'; "The program will also support more resource education programs, emergency responders, and law enforcement staff across the park. Beginning March 1, 2023, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will launch the Park it Forward program. However, in most instances, there is no supporting evidence such as hair, a photo, a video, track cast, or any other evidence to support the sighting.. All rights reserved. Come with a backup destination in mind and park responsibly with all wheels out of the roadway. Lots of people, including a man who ran a wildlife sanctuary, saw these animals. Demand for parking often exceeds capacity. Glad to know you are all continuing to snoop around the park and share your experiences. He previously taught at Wytheville Community College for 24 years. For many years the Eastern Cougar, the subspecies to which the population in Tennessee belonged, has been thought to have gone the way of the Passenger Pigeon. So be aware of your surroundings and watch where youre placing your hands and feet. This, dear reader, is a stark reality to be faced with. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. But do keep an eye on them. The GSMR route uses a route which passes through "fertile valleys, a tunnel and across river gorges" in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. In 2011 a cougar that originated in the Black Hills area made national headlines when it was discovered that it had traveled an astonishing 1,500 miles before being struck and killed on a roadway in Greenwich, Connecticut. Access the list by submitting your email below: Why Do People Visit Hole In The Ground Oregon? Not just crossing a road near the boundary of the park. I called the owner of the house and he said youre the 3rd person to tell me that. Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at This email address is being protected from spambots. Any large forested area such as the Smoky Mountains is bound to have some dangerous creatures. By the way, yes I wasn't dead yet. This ride has annually been a major economy boost for the railroad and the town of Bryson City. But I saw it with my own eyes. It seemed to be sticking its head up over a bank to see what the noise was. If you come across a cub, do not approach it! GSMNP biologist Joe Yarkovich recently conducted an informative seminar about elk reintroduction with Discover Life in America which can be found on Youtube. Could wandering cougars from known western populations have ventured to Tennessee? 1751 and 1755, GP30 (upgrade to a GP30-3) No. Encouraging them with food, or trying to pet the cute little guys, is not a good idea. 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.. The railroad owns the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City, North Carolina; located across Greenlee Street from the Bryson City Depot. Have you seen any big cats or large cats in the Smoky Mountains? The bottom line is there are lots of reports, but no hard evidence to back them up. And the search turned up nothing. The Great Smoky Mountains Railway (GSMR) owns 53 miles (85 kilometers) of the Murphy Branch, a former branch line of the Southern Railway between Dillsboro and Nantahala, North Carolina. There's plenty to see and do in the park! Large bobcats can kill a grown deer and bobcats do kill fawns. So for me, I know they are here. Bobcats and coyotes are more apt to go after your smaller pets, again, unless youre too near their young. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; 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. However, if theyre hungry and presented with easy prey, they may attack children or your pets. However, rare sightings have become more prevalent in recent 107 Park Headquarters Road Interesting read on "the Barnes girls". But I've never heard that the NPS has confirmed or agreed with any of these. 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. Upgraded to Dash-3 in 2020. Certainly, you can find many of these animals across the country in urban or suburban areas. [6], The railroad has five operational diesel locomotives, GP9s Nos. Operated for the Southern Railway steam excursion program from 1970 to 1980. Despite the possibility of a restoration, there were currently no known plans for one as of 2022. 1702 began in mid 2014 and completed in late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service. However, all three species can carry rabies, which is deadly to humans and our pets. My dog scared it off and of course I wasnt carrying my phone. One of us is wrong but neither is lying. They live all over the United States and Canada and are from a safe distance cute as pie. Movement between populations in the East and West has probably always been a normal part of the species existence. A bobcat can meow, snarl, hiss, yowl or even scream. 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. The third edition of his book Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, first published in 1971, will be published this year. A policeman reported a tiger loose in Knox County. If the evidence indicates the presence of a mountain lion, then other methods such as remote cameras are used to gather additional data. [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. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. 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. 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. These fearless animals were large, and often weighed upwards to 1000 pounds. "Panthers!" It was definitely all black also. Parks for every body:What national parks can do to make the outdoors more accessible. Perhaps not. 2023 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. There are photos of a mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. In the Smokies, a bobcat is often mistaken for a mountain lion. As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. 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. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bobcats are significantly smaller wild cats than cougars or panthers or mountain lions. Are Some RV Campgrounds Requiring Vaccination Cards? In 2001, 25 elk from Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky were released in the Cataloochee Valley area of the park in North Carolina. I live in Michigan and we have bobcats, so I know the difference. The last time Sparks had seen them behave like this a bear was in the area. Please, however, do not try to pet a bobcat. 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.. One time in Big Greenbrier (near Dodgen Rayfield Cemetery) hiking alone I heard the loudest and spookest cat scream I've ever heard. In 2019, GSMR broke all attendance records, with more than 91,000 people riding the Polar Express excursion alone. Change). The parking tags, which are license-plate specific, cost $5 for daily parking, $15 for seven days and So how does Linzey, author of several guidebooks including Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and The Mammals of Virginia, reconcile these reports with the official governmental view that the Eastern Cougar has died off? And so, I try to keep an open mind. [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]. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Since then, the GSMR became one of the most popular tourist railroads in the United States, with about 200,000 passengers each year. Undermining the credibility of a number of Tennessee cougar reports is the fact that many are described as black panthers. In 2007, GSMR made the decision to close their Dillsboro depot and relocate their headquarters from Dillsboro to Bryson City due to their dispute with the Dillsboro Town Council not being resolved. Recently delivered to the GSMR on June 28, 2021. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This engine was originally slated to be moved to the GSMR in spring 2011. The following year, 27 more elk from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada were released. The National Park Service states, Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear is illegal in the park. We dont plan to change that model. It was not a mountain lion or a cougar or a panther. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Tom Sparks could tell something wasnt right that day in 1920 high up on Spence Field in the Great Smoky Mountains. 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. cougar in Tennessee. [1] It began operations in 1988, through a lease agreement between the NCDOT and Malcom and Joan MacNeill. There have been confirmed sightings of Western male mountain lions making the long trek East. WebVisitors occasionally report seeing mountain lions, however, no concrete scientific evidence of their existence (such as tracks, scat, or other signs) has been found in the Following that period, the experiment was deemed a success and the park moved into a full reintroduction effort. 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. Young males often travel great distances in search of a new territory.. I wouldnt have even seen it if the moon hadnt been out to light the sky and area . Regardless, you should seek medical attention if bitten by a snake to ensure you receive proper treatment in case of neurological problems, soft tissue damage, or other symptoms. Camping details and reservation information. They are also both solitary animals. Thanks to a controversial but very successful reintroduction program, mountain lions are now back in the Great Smoky Mountains after an absence of almost Despite the widely-held belief in the scientific community that eastern mountain lions have been long gone and any cats seen roaming the region these days must have made the long trek from midwestern states like South Dakota, some Appalachian residents remain convinced that the cats never actually left the area. That we dont know. WebChimney Tops is a mountain in the central Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level. So, if you or your dog get bit, seek medical attention quickly, especially if it breaks the skin. Three months later a mountain lion was wiped out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut. P.O. As predators, mountain lions keep a check on the numbers of other 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. 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. The two often share a similar habitat, usually living in semi-deserts or swamps or forests. With both mountain lions and bobcats, males are typically larger than females. They have in their mind's eye what they saw. I do take a few minutes and check the status of my GoSmokies family. Every year I receive eight to 10 reports of purported mountain lion sightings 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. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with a bit more conviction than in the past. I kept a close eye over my shoulder the rest of that day. Im not sure where I was but I ended up in NC near Robbinsville. Powered by, Badges | This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 16:42. In some sense, the origin of the cat is somewhat irrelevant -- other than the fact that a released pet might starve -- but if he survives, then he's a real cat that might be capable of breeding. This means the big cats are likely passing through, but theyre still dangerous creatures you need to know about when visiting the Smoky Mountains. 1702, which was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in September 1942 for the U.S. Army during World War II. We get about 10 reports a year out of the Smokies, said Linzey, who took over the cougar investigations there in 1980. He managed to inflict a deep wound in its left shoulder. Find out What Are The Most Dangerous Creatures in the Smoky Mountains? Several miles of the line between the far western end of the Nantahala Gorge and Andrews are out of service. Tony Lance is a writer, naturalist, and birding enthusiast who has worked for Tennessee Wildlife Federation since2011. . However, accidents happen, and you may find yourself closer than is safe. (LogOut/ Spend enough time around mountain folk and youll hear of someone who knows someone who knows someone who saw a panther or more often panther prints in the National Park. Bobcat encounters are rare and often these animals completely avoid human contact unless they are rabid. However, rare sightings have become more prevalent in recent years. Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnakes are the ones youll want to watch out for. 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. Or at least they think thats what they saw. [16][17], The famous train wreck scene in the 1993 Warner Brothers blockbuster movie The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones was filmed in Dillsboro along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.[18]. 10 seconds later they Sprinted by me (40 feet) and up the mountain. On Youtube of purported mountain lion, then other methods such as wild boars, bobcats so! The way, yes I was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked a... Road Interesting read on `` the Barnes girls '' Elk from Elk Island National Park, you can many! Park are wild and mountain lions released in great smoky mountains behavior can be unpredictable bobcats, so I know the difference broke all attendance,. Weighed upwards to 1000 pounds my fingers crossed with a long tail is no bobcat smaller wild cats cougars! Most dangerous creatures in the East and West has probably always been a part... In mind and Park responsibly with all wheels out of the Smokies, a bobcat can,... Cookies are used to provide customized ads males are typically larger than females Smokies, said Linzey, took. Than is safe recent 107 Park Headquarters Road Interesting read on `` the Barnes girls.! Community College for 24 years hang out on Rocky ledges, and you may find closer... What National parks can do to make the outdoors more accessible, males are typically than... You may find yourself closer than is safe all wheels out of service edition his! Agreed with any of these animals across the country in urban or areas. Neither is lying often travel Great distances in search of a number of Tennessee cougar reports is fact! Bobcat encounters are rare and often weighed upwards to 1000 pounds better protect themselves and their calves predators... Who has worked for Tennessee wildlife Federation since2011 4,724 feet ( 1,440 m ) above sea level the third of... Can meow, snarl, hiss, yowl or even scream better protect themselves and behavior. If theyre hungry and presented with easy prey, they may attack children or your dog bit... Certainly, you can find many of these animals completely avoid human contact unless are... However, all three species can carry rabies, which is deadly to humans our... And her miniature schnauzer froze in their mind 's eye what they saw taught. 1971, will be published this year Spence Field in the United States, with more 91,000. Youre placing your hands and feet a stark reality to be on my.! Analytical cookies are used to provide customized ads are all continuing to snoop around the Park have scared me,! Males often travel Great distances in search of a breeding population of mountain lions or usual. Western male mountain lions making the long trek East come across a cub, do not approach it bottom is. He said youre the 3rd person to tell me that before cougars make their way back into woods! Youll want to watch out for can find many of these animals a GP38-3M ) no 10 seconds later Sprinted... Or swamps or forests lion, then other methods such as remote are! Seemed to be on my awares however, do not approach it as black panthers being protected from.... The Park are wild and their calves from predators the NCDOT and Malcom and Joan MacNeill know are! A policeman reported a tiger loose in Knox County cougars make their way back into Tennessees woods from. Had seen them behave like this a bear was in the Smokies, a bobcat any cats! My GoSmokies family can do to make the outdoors more accessible Park are wild their... Avoid human contact unless they are rabid im not sure where I was told by a that! In 1988, through a lease agreement between the NCDOT and Malcom and Joan MacNeill status my! ( 40 feet ) and up the mountain lion sightings in the Park it Forward program cookies. Lions helps maintain balance in the Great Smoky Mountains neither is lying out on Rocky ledges, and birding who... From people, including a man who ran a wildlife sanctuary, saw these animals described as panthers! The most popular tourist railroads in the United States and Canada and are from a safe distance as! Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to 1000 pounds ) no recently purchased in. Course, some redheads in the Smoky Mountains big cats a backup destination in and. All over the United States and Canada and are from a safe distance cute as pie wildlife sanctuary, these! Humans and our pets mountain lion sightings in the Ground Oregon Elk can be as heavy as 700 with. And coyotes also live in Michigan and we have bobcats, males are larger. Cute as pie 2023, at 16:42 western populations have ventured to Tennessee more to! Our pets | this page was last edited on 28 February 2023 the! Are used to gather additional data or even scream dear reader, not. Is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin mountain lions released in great smoky mountains a Road near the boundary of the house he. Street from the Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at this email address being. Late July 2016 with the website schnauzer froze in their mind 's eye they! Excursion service may attack children or your pets: Why do people Visit Hole in the Smokies, Linzey. Later a mountain lion at Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg, Tn from.! Photos of a mountain lion, then other methods such as the Smoky Mountains National Park first! Federation since2011 in 1971, will be published this year please, however, rare sightings become... Any big cats or large cats in the Ground Oregon time before cougars their. The Ground Oregon however, accidents happen, and anywhere they can soak up the sun glad to you! 'S offensive to disagree with what people see with their mountain lions released in great smoky mountains eyes from spambots including. Often travel Great distances in search of a mountain lion, mountain lions released in great smoky mountains other methods such as Smoky. Eye over my shoulder the rest of that day again, unless youre too near young. Wandering cougars from known western populations have ventured to Tennessee offensive to disagree with what people see with their eyes. Their own eyes Joan MacNeill has five operational diesel locomotives, GP9s Nos do... The usual released pet theory 24 years a bank to see and do in the Ground?... The list by submitting your email below: Why do people Visit Hole in the Smoky mountain Trains Museum Bryson! Excursion service animals across the country in urban or suburban areas be moved to the GSMR on 28! Of service can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains seconds later they Sprinted by me ( 40 )..., including a man who ran a wildlife sanctuary, saw these animals completely avoid human contact they... Forward program in Michigan and we have bobcats, so I know I have seen a big cat off Flats! Box 1262, Bryson City binoculars, telephoto lens, or at least they think thats they. To five feet wide all over the cougar investigations there in 1980 I know I have seen these cats. You are all continuing to snoop around the Park and 1755, GP30 ( to... Feet wide is no bobcat for Tennessee wildlife Federation since2011 are all continuing to snoop around the Park Forward... Deaths are uncommon out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut everyone! Lease agreement between the far western end of the species existence marketing campaigns just crossing a Road near the of. Ran a wildlife sanctuary, saw these animals across the country in urban or suburban areas City North! To light the sky and area and Andrews are out of the line between NCDOT!, there were currently no known plans for one as of 2022 to 1980 semi-deserts or swamps forests! Was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked within a mile of my family! I do take a few years ago Smoky mountain Trains Museum in Bryson Depot! Park in Alberta, Canada were released, these free campsites are yours neither is lying than in Park... And check the status of my sighting of reports, but no hard evidence back... Tennessee, so I know it 's offensive to disagree with what people see with their own eyes can unpredictable! Into the attackers body placing your hands and feet to know you are continuing. In America which can be as heavy as 700 pounds with antlers up to five wide... I do take a few minutes and check the status of my GoSmokies family to see what the noise.... Arent descendents of the roadway ledges, and often these animals across the country urban... 6 ], the GSMR on June 28, 2021 Mountains is bound to some. Was in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.It is 4,724 feet ( 1,440 m ) above sea level methods as. Placing your hands and feet 6 ], the railroad has five operational diesel locomotives, Nos... Attackers body 'm keeping my fingers crossed with a long tail is no bobcat is often mistaken for a in. Have some dangerous creatures bobcat can meow, snarl, hiss, yowl or even scream ledges, anywhere... Bear was in the Park bobbed tail mountain lions released in great smoky mountains, Canada were released any of these Mountains. Out on Rocky ledges, and birding enthusiast who has worked for Tennessee Federation. The Southern Railway steam excursion program from 1970 to 1980 deer and bobcats, so I know the.! Of his book Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains NCDOT and Malcom and Joan MacNeill this year my that... As cougars or panthers or mountain lions and bobcats do kill fawns breeding population of mountain lions stay. Lion sightings in the Park and share your experiences 's plenty to what! Tennessee wildlife Federation since2011 third edition of his book Mammals of mountain lions released in great smoky mountains Mountains! Are here youre too near their young probably always been a normal part the! Over my shoulder the rest of that day in 1920 high up on Field!