Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) is a black bear rescue facility located just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. ABR is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that has been returning black bears back to the wild since 1996. Each year black bears from our national parks and surrounding areas are orphaned, injured, or in need of medical care. Thanks to Appalachian Bear Rescue, these bears are given a second chance at life in the wild.
Do You Have Your Cubby Holiday Cards? - ORDER ONLINE ONLY
We sincerely appreciate your overwhelming response to our cubby holiday cards. We've talked with our printer and we will be able to get more sets of the cards. We are taking your online orders through Sunday, November 10th at 11:59 p.m.
We will order enough cards to fulfill the orders we receive online. We apologize that the extra sets will not be available in our Visitor Center Store.
We will receive the additional sets of the cards late next week and will work to get them in the mail and to you as quickly as possible. Thank you again for your support for our cubs. We couldn't do our work without YOU!
Wow! First, what a revelation to hear Sir Scruff-a-lot sing his displeasure! I had no idea cubs sounded like that (such a city gal). And second big, BIG congrats to Scruffy and Rags for gaining weight! And what miracle workers you all are. Your curators are the bestest!!!
This is so good to see!! I'm glad Rags is getting healthier! Hearing Scruffy's voice was awesome; he sounds just like a baby! Thank you, ABR!!!
Due to overwhelming demand, we've talked with our printer and we will be able to get more sets of the holiday cards. We will take your online orders starting today through Sunday, November 10th at 11:59 p.m.
We are only able to order enough to fulfill the orders we receive online. We apologize that the extra sets will not be available in our Visitor Center Store.
We will receive the additional sets of the cards late next week and will work to get them in the mail and to you as quickly as possible.
Those are so cute. Hope you have them in the visitors center next year since, unfortunately, with the cost for shipping it is to expensive for me this year.
How do I order some of these cards? ❤️
I’ve tried to order online . Do you not ship to Northern Ireland ? It won’t accept my address . Thanks
ABR Daily Update-November 4, 2024-Chubby Cubs and ABR welcomes a new Curator. 🐻
Weather: 73F (23C) Humidity 54%, Partly Cloudy 🌤️
The cubs in Wild Enclosure #3 are turning a section of their enclosure into a moonscape. There’s something in the ground they like very much and happily excavate until they find and eat whatever it is. Insects? Probably. We see similar behavior in the other cubs, but their digging isn’t concentrated in one location. All we ask is that the cubs…ALL the cubs…not dig a tunnel to freedom. We’ve seen the “Great Escape” and we’re watching you! 🐻 👀
Rags seemed more energetic today. He and his brother engaged in a few rounds of fisticuffs that we think Rags won. Then he scaled the climby thing and was sure-footed and quick in ascent and descent.🐻🐻👏
We’re pleased to announce that Seth Wyckoff has joined the ABR team as Lead Curator. Seth obtained his Bachelor of Science and his Masters in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of Georgia. He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in parasitology and wildlife disease, and has hands-on experience in animal care and medical procedures. Welcome, Seth!
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below. appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
Welcome Seth!
Question: if there is a new beary version of The Great Escape, who would play the role of Steve McQueen??? 😅
Don’t comment very often but I have heard rumors that some of the cubs are trying to retain legal counsel to do an NIL thing like college sports are doing
I am glad to hear Rags is more energetic today. Welcome to ABR Curator Seth. I was at Visitor's Center today and picked up some goodies. Joanne was amazing as always ❤🐻❤×28
ABR Daily Update-November 3, 2024-The Journey to Wild Enclosure #5 Begins…Again! 🐻
Weather: 76F (24C) Humidity 51%, Partly Cloudy 🌤️
We’ve been planning for years to build a two-acre Wild Enclosure #5; we actually constructed a third of the fencing before COVID shut us down. When the world reopened for business, the cost of materials and labor had doubled and tripled, forcing us to put the project on the back burner. Then came the endless procession of cubs and yearlings needing our help; we can’t have heavy construction on the premises while we have bears in residence. As of today, it's been 942 days since we were last bear-free. This makes signing a contract problematic; not many companies will (or can) agree to stop work at a moment's notice and resume months later.
We’ve always known this would be a costly project, built in phases over a number of years, but we feel we must restart it. We can, at least, proceed with the detailed planning stage without disturbing our twenty-eight cubs. Last week, Curator Jamie gave representatives of a construction company a site tour of the proposed WE#5. Firstly, we need a road built to allow construction equipment access to the property and for curators to use in the future. Secondly, we must run water, electrical, and communication infrastructure into the area before we can think of proceeding with the rest of the fencing and the construction of another Hartley House.The plans are still in their preliminary stages, but we need estimates for both cost and time if Wild Enclosure #5 is to become a reality. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.🐻🤞
The curators pay close attention to Rags and Scruffy, but from a distance. They don’t want the siblings to become habituated to humans, so they rely on our security cameras to monitor their progress. The brothers are (thank goodness!) still tolerating confinement in Hartley House and eating well. Frankly, for such a small bear, Rags produces a LOT of poop. However, it is healthy, of good consistency, and parasite-free. His brother, Scruffy, is a big bruiser compared to Rags, but he hasn’t been bullying him. When Rags doesn’t want to play, Scruffy seems to accept it and amuses himself. The other twenty-six cubs are healthy and strong; thank you for giving them the chance to become the big little bears they were meant to be.❤️🐻
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below. appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
Is 942 days consistently having bears on site a record? I know you are very anxious to get restarted on WE5. Judging by the number of bears just in this current group, it seems that there might be a greater need in the future for this extra space. Sadly, it is unlikely that human-bear conflicts will slow down anytime soon, if ever 😔. I am happy to see that Rags and Scruffy are still tolerating their confinement for now, and that Scruffy is being considerate of his smaller brother.
🙏🏻🐻♥️x28 plus curators
More and more bears are coming into human populated areas. Do you ever see that changing, or has man basically nudged them out of their habitat? I never see tags on any of the ears of these bears that people video in downtown Gatlinburg, etc. Do you remove them before releasing? I can't remember.
I wonder if a privacy fence could be temporarily installed between future WE #5 & the enclosures that the bears currently occupy? Something that could absorb most construction noises. If COYs are released back into the wild at the end of December, but Rags & Scruffy need to stay, could they be contained in the WE farthest away from future WE #5? It is not ideal but all stats indicate WE #5 is desperately needed. Plus, the obvious months for construction would be the month of January +/- a couple of weeks at either end of January, & that is not the time of year that is outdoor construction friendly. What a pickle! I’m not a sound canceling expert, but doesn’t styrofoam absorb sound? If it is, then a post soliciting any large pieces of styrofoam might produce enough to build into a privacy fence. It doesn’t have to look pretty, just do the work of restricting the view & sound. Just another one of my random, possibly useless, ideas.
ABR Daily Update-November 2, 2024- Bigger little bears. 🐻🐻
Weather: 71F (22C) Humidity 64%, Sunny 🌞
We congratulate the Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge! They finished in the top two in their respective categories. The voting is over, and the grand prize winners will be announced at an event called Destination Defender on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Our fingers are crossed for both organizations! Thank you so much for supporting them with your daily votes! 👏👏👏
Rags and Scruffy are getting bigger! The curators estimate Scruffy to weigh in the mid-30-pound range (15.88 kg), while Rags is likely in the mid-20-pound range (11.34 kg). The siblings are eating well, and Rags is getting his fair share. The curators feel confident that they can reduce their visits to Hartley House to once daily, providing the cubs with plenty of food to last them throughout the day. Although the cubs don’t often see the curators, this change will further minimize their exposure to humans. 🐻🐻
Curator Greg writes: "The cubs received an abundance of mixed pecans, walnuts, and peanuts, scattered throughout their freshly replaced habitat. Bowls with extra food for later were provided, along with special Beargarita (frozen pureed fruit) dessert treats. Peanut butter and honey were smeared on climbing structures and the rolly ball."
Curator Jamie’s scoop, which went missing after being accidentally flung into Wild Enclosure #1, has attracted the attention of Scooby and Company. We wonder if they associate the scoop with falling food. Perhaps if they stare at it long enough, they can make it rain treats! 🤔
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below. appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
I would love someone to sprinkle pecans, walnuts, and peanuts throughout my habitat. Save me a trip to the store. And with a name like mine, aren’t I part bear?
Will Scruffy and Rags eventually go into a WE? And will they stay over the winter?
Congratulations to Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge for making it to the top two in their respective categories! I remember that the wait to find out the winner seemed unBEARable! All of the original 26 outside cubs are looking so healthy and beautiful (or handsome) as the case may be. I am sure that Scruffy and Rags will continue to add on the pounds as well. It is easy to tell these two apart, even without looking at ear tags, as Scruffy looks about twice the size of Rags. I am glad that the C-C Sisters have moved to the Visitors Center and that Spud Bear can have his own place.
🙏🏻🐻♥️x28 plus curators
Please join us for a fun-filled evening to benefit Appalachian Bear Rescue. 🐻😊Fundraiser for Community Partner - Appalachian Bear Rescue @appalachianbearrescue
DONATE TODAY!!
Facebook Live Update - November 6th 2024 🐻 Come behind the scenes with the curators!! ... See MoreSee Less
36 CommentsComment on Facebook
This was really neat to see. Thank you so much ❤🐻❤×28
Hi curators!! Thank you so much for the “tour”!! So cool to share this with us. Thank you for taking such excellent care of our cubs!! ♥️🐻
Thank you! I have more acorns to bring to you soon!
View more comments
Do You Have Your Cubby Holiday Cards? - ORDER ONLINE ONLY
We sincerely appreciate your overwhelming response to our cubby holiday cards. We've talked with our printer and we will be able to get more sets of the cards. We are taking your online orders through Sunday, November 10th at 11:59 p.m.
We will order enough cards to fulfill the orders we receive online. We apologize that the extra sets will not be available in our Visitor Center Store.
We will receive the additional sets of the cards late next week and will work to get them in the mail and to you as quickly as possible. Thank you again for your support for our cubs. We couldn't do our work without YOU!
appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/products/holiday-cards-by-jillie-eves-artist ... See MoreSee Less
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love them but not paying 15$ shipping
Ordered mine along with a calendar and t shirt.
I am going to frame one of the cards for myself. It will remind me of the ABR cubbies I love and follow. 🧸❤️🐻
View more comments
November 5th 2024 - Scruffy and Rags Get Weighed! 🐻🐻 ... See MoreSee Less
60 CommentsComment on Facebook
Wow! First, what a revelation to hear Sir Scruff-a-lot sing his displeasure! I had no idea cubs sounded like that (such a city gal). And second big, BIG congrats to Scruffy and Rags for gaining weight! And what miracle workers you all are. Your curators are the bestest!!!
This is so good to see!! I'm glad Rags is getting healthier! Hearing Scruffy's voice was awesome; he sounds just like a baby! Thank you, ABR!!!
That was the most endearing g sound I ever heard
View more comments
Last Chance For Holiday Cards! - ONLINE ONLY
Due to overwhelming demand, we've talked with our printer and we will be able to get more sets of the holiday cards. We will take your online orders starting today through Sunday, November 10th at 11:59 p.m.
We are only able to order enough to fulfill the orders we receive online. We apologize that the extra sets will not be available in our Visitor Center Store.
We will receive the additional sets of the cards late next week and will work to get them in the mail and to you as quickly as possible.
appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/products/holiday-cards-by-jillie-eves-artist ... See MoreSee Less
35 CommentsComment on Facebook
Those are so cute. Hope you have them in the visitors center next year since, unfortunately, with the cost for shipping it is to expensive for me this year.
How do I order some of these cards? ❤️
I’ve tried to order online . Do you not ship to Northern Ireland ? It won’t accept my address . Thanks
View more comments
ABR Daily Update-November 4, 2024-Chubby Cubs and ABR welcomes a new Curator. 🐻
Weather: 73F (23C) Humidity 54%, Partly Cloudy 🌤️
The cubs in Wild Enclosure #3 are turning a section of their enclosure into a moonscape. There’s something in the ground they like very much and happily excavate until they find and eat whatever it is. Insects? Probably. We see similar behavior in the other cubs, but their digging isn’t concentrated in one location. All we ask is that the cubs…ALL the cubs…not dig a tunnel to freedom. We’ve seen the “Great Escape” and we’re watching you! 🐻 👀
Rags seemed more energetic today. He and his brother engaged in a few rounds of fisticuffs that we think Rags won. Then he scaled the climby thing and was sure-footed and quick in ascent and descent.🐻🐻👏
We’re pleased to announce that Seth Wyckoff has joined the ABR team as Lead Curator. Seth obtained his Bachelor of Science and his Masters in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of Georgia. He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in parasitology and wildlife disease, and has hands-on experience in animal care and medical procedures. Welcome, Seth!
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below.
appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Room in Your Heart Campaign.
appalachianbearrescue.org/room-in-your-heart-campaign/
🎉Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is open! Please click on the link for more information:
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week. ... See MoreSee Less
81 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome Seth! Question: if there is a new beary version of The Great Escape, who would play the role of Steve McQueen??? 😅
Don’t comment very often but I have heard rumors that some of the cubs are trying to retain legal counsel to do an NIL thing like college sports are doing
I am glad to hear Rags is more energetic today. Welcome to ABR Curator Seth. I was at Visitor's Center today and picked up some goodies. Joanne was amazing as always ❤🐻❤×28
View more comments
ABR Daily Update-November 3, 2024-The Journey to Wild Enclosure #5 Begins…Again! 🐻
Weather: 76F (24C) Humidity 51%, Partly Cloudy 🌤️
We’ve been planning for years to build a two-acre Wild Enclosure #5; we actually constructed a third of the fencing before COVID shut us down. When the world reopened for business, the cost of materials and labor had doubled and tripled, forcing us to put the project on the back burner. Then came the endless procession of cubs and yearlings needing our help; we can’t have heavy construction on the premises while we have bears in residence. As of today, it's been 942 days since we were last bear-free. This makes signing a contract problematic; not many companies will (or can) agree to stop work at a moment's notice and resume months later.
We’ve always known this would be a costly project, built in phases over a number of years, but we feel we must restart it. We can, at least, proceed with the detailed planning stage without disturbing our twenty-eight cubs. Last week, Curator Jamie gave representatives of a construction company a site tour of the proposed WE#5. Firstly, we need a road built to allow construction equipment access to the property and for curators to use in the future. Secondly, we must run water, electrical, and communication infrastructure into the area before we can think of proceeding with the rest of the fencing and the construction of another Hartley House.The plans are still in their preliminary stages, but we need estimates for both cost and time if Wild Enclosure #5 is to become a reality. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.🐻🤞
The curators pay close attention to Rags and Scruffy, but from a distance. They don’t want the siblings to become habituated to humans, so they rely on our security cameras to monitor their progress. The brothers are (thank goodness!) still tolerating confinement in Hartley House and eating well. Frankly, for such a small bear, Rags produces a LOT of poop. However, it is healthy, of good consistency, and parasite-free. His brother, Scruffy, is a big bruiser compared to Rags, but he hasn’t been bullying him. When Rags doesn’t want to play, Scruffy seems to accept it and amuses himself. The other twenty-six cubs are healthy and strong; thank you for giving them the chance to become the big little bears they were meant to be.❤️🐻
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below.
appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Room in Your Heart Campaign.
appalachianbearrescue.org/room-in-your-heart-campaign/
🎉Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is open! Please click on the link for more information:
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week. ... See MoreSee Less
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
Is 942 days consistently having bears on site a record? I know you are very anxious to get restarted on WE5. Judging by the number of bears just in this current group, it seems that there might be a greater need in the future for this extra space. Sadly, it is unlikely that human-bear conflicts will slow down anytime soon, if ever 😔. I am happy to see that Rags and Scruffy are still tolerating their confinement for now, and that Scruffy is being considerate of his smaller brother. 🙏🏻🐻♥️x28 plus curators
More and more bears are coming into human populated areas. Do you ever see that changing, or has man basically nudged them out of their habitat? I never see tags on any of the ears of these bears that people video in downtown Gatlinburg, etc. Do you remove them before releasing? I can't remember.
I wonder if a privacy fence could be temporarily installed between future WE #5 & the enclosures that the bears currently occupy? Something that could absorb most construction noises. If COYs are released back into the wild at the end of December, but Rags & Scruffy need to stay, could they be contained in the WE farthest away from future WE #5? It is not ideal but all stats indicate WE #5 is desperately needed. Plus, the obvious months for construction would be the month of January +/- a couple of weeks at either end of January, & that is not the time of year that is outdoor construction friendly. What a pickle! I’m not a sound canceling expert, but doesn’t styrofoam absorb sound? If it is, then a post soliciting any large pieces of styrofoam might produce enough to build into a privacy fence. It doesn’t have to look pretty, just do the work of restricting the view & sound. Just another one of my random, possibly useless, ideas.
View more comments
ABR Daily Update-November 2, 2024- Bigger little bears. 🐻🐻
Weather: 71F (22C) Humidity 64%, Sunny 🌞
We congratulate the Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge! They finished in the top two in their respective categories. The voting is over, and the grand prize winners will be announced at an event called Destination Defender on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Our fingers are crossed for both organizations! Thank you so much for supporting them with your daily votes! 👏👏👏
Rags and Scruffy are getting bigger! The curators estimate Scruffy to weigh in the mid-30-pound range (15.88 kg), while Rags is likely in the mid-20-pound range (11.34 kg). The siblings are eating well, and Rags is getting his fair share. The curators feel confident that they can reduce their visits to Hartley House to once daily, providing the cubs with plenty of food to last them throughout the day. Although the cubs don’t often see the curators, this change will further minimize their exposure to humans. 🐻🐻
Curator Greg writes:
"The cubs received an abundance of mixed pecans, walnuts, and peanuts, scattered throughout their freshly replaced habitat. Bowls with extra food for later were provided, along with special Beargarita (frozen pureed fruit) dessert treats. Peanut butter and honey were smeared on climbing structures and the rolly ball."
Curator Jamie’s scoop, which went missing after being accidentally flung into Wild Enclosure #1, has attracted the attention of Scooby and Company. We wonder if they associate the scoop with falling food. Perhaps if they stare at it long enough, they can make it rain treats! 🤔
🗓️Our 2025 calendars are available for purchase at our online store along with other items unique to ABR. We’ sorry, but orders are restricted to the USA only. Please click on the link below.
appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Room in Your Heart Campaign.
appalachianbearrescue.org/room-in-your-heart-campaign/
🎉Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is open! Please click on the link for more information:
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week. ... See MoreSee Less
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
I would love someone to sprinkle pecans, walnuts, and peanuts throughout my habitat. Save me a trip to the store. And with a name like mine, aren’t I part bear?
Will Scruffy and Rags eventually go into a WE? And will they stay over the winter?
Congratulations to Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge for making it to the top two in their respective categories! I remember that the wait to find out the winner seemed unBEARable! All of the original 26 outside cubs are looking so healthy and beautiful (or handsome) as the case may be. I am sure that Scruffy and Rags will continue to add on the pounds as well. It is easy to tell these two apart, even without looking at ear tags, as Scruffy looks about twice the size of Rags. I am glad that the C-C Sisters have moved to the Visitors Center and that Spud Bear can have his own place. 🙏🏻🐻♥️x28 plus curators
View more comments
Please join us for a fun-filled evening to benefit Appalachian Bear Rescue. 🐻😊Fundraiser for Community Partner - Appalachian Bear Rescue @appalachianbearrescue
November 7th, 5:00pm-8:00pm
www.facebook.com/share/GvxfoMjQ4rhseuic/
Prizes Sponsored by - HOKA @hoka - Gregory @gregorypacks - Outdoor Research @outdoorresearch
Tap Takeover - Creature Comforts @creaturecomfortsbeer
Food Truck - Chapulines @chapulinesstreettacos
Music - Cats Away
www.facebook.com/CatsAwayPage?
mibextid=LQQJ4d ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
I wish I could be there, but I’m working the Rotary tent at the Gatlinburg Chili Cook-Off that evening. Best wishes for a great event!!
Sharing with Friends on Facebook. Hoping for a very Successful Event. 😃🐻🐻🐻🌲🌲🌲🌲
Creature Comforts is from my town, Athens, Ga. Will share.
Happy November 1st! ... See MoreSee Less
39 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good afternoon everyone 🐻❤️
Thank you so much for todays update! I wish everybody a nice weekend 🐻🥰
Happy Friday bear friends and Tori 🐻😊
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