Bear Cubs Prowling For Food
A poor crop of berries and acorns has left bear cubs in East Tennessee undernourished and searching for food.
The Appalachian Bear Rescue Center in Townsend has taken in a near-record 22 cubs. All of them were born in January after a bumper crop of fruits, berries and nuts the year before.
But this year many of the foods the cubs rely on to fatten them up for the winter have been in scarce supply.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spokesman Bob Miller told The Daily Times there were few blackberries, huckleberries, cherries or acorns this year
That has led cubs to wander far afield in search of food. Several have been injured or killed while trying to cross roads and highways.
