KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee officials said an abundance of acorns at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is expected to result in an increase in black bear cubs in the spring.
It would be a turnaround from last year, when a food shortage resulted in fewer cubs being born and more cubs being abandoned due to mothers who either starved or were hit by cars while looking for food.
Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver told the Knoxville News Sentinel that white acorns, which the bears prefer to eat in the fall, are especially plentiful.
He said in addition to having healthier bears, the mast abundance has led to fewer nuisance complaints from people about the bears.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
