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Knowledge And Attitudes Of Campers Toward Black Bears In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pamela A. Petko-Seis
Knowledge And Attitudes Of Campers Toward Black Bears In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pamela A. Petko-Seis
Masters Theses
The purpose of this study was to provide information that would be useful in the management of human-bear interactions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP or Park). One-hundred and fifty backcountry campers and 200 frontcountry campers were interviewed to determine their attitudes, knowledge, camping habits, and experience as related to black bears. In addition, preliminary observations of human-black bear interactions in the backcountry were documented.
Backcountry campers were younger and more educated than frontcountry campers. At least 10% of campers did not realize black bears climb trees or that they are diurnally active. Approximately 25% of campers did not …