NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As summer travel begins, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are reminding visitors and citizens to be bear-safe.
The TWRA said summer travel season is when bears in Tennessee become more active. TDOT also sees an uptick in litter on roadways and along scenic byways in the summer.
“Tennessee's scenic byways are renowned for their breathtaking vistas, rich history, and diverse ecosystems, attracting tourists and nature enthusiasts from around the globe,” Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said. “However, with summer travel and the influx of visitors along the byways, comes the challenge of managing waste responsibly, especially in areas inhabited by wildlife. We encourage visitors and residents alike to enjoy our beautiful state and dispose of litter responsibly.”
To keep bears and other wildlife from accessing food waste and to help spread the message about litter prevention, TDOT installed 80 Nobody Trashes Tennessee-branded bear-proof trash cans along seven of Tennessee's 13 scenic byways.
“Black bears are one of Tennessee’s state treasures and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep them wild and keep them alive,” TWRA Black Bear Coordinator Dan Gibbs said. "Bear management experience has shown that bears attracted to human food sources, or that are deliberately fed by humans, have a relatively short life.”
The bear-proof trash cans support the TWRA's and TDOT's efforts to protect wildlife and promote environmental responsibility.
WBIR has multiple articles on remaining safe and being "Bearwise." You can find some below.