So You Want to Count Grizzlies in the Peach State? You're Barking Up the Wrong Tree (Literally)
Ah, Georgia. The land of peanuts, peaches, and...grizzly bears? Well, hold your horses (or should we say, hold your muscadine wine?) because grizzly bears are about as common in Georgia as snow in July.
There seems to be some confusion between two very different types of bears: grizzly bears and American black bears (Ursus americanus). The grizzly bear, a hulking giant with a distinctive hump, calls the mountainous regions of the western US and Canada home.
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Black bears, on the other hand, are the furry friends you might actually encounter in the wilds of Georgia. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population is thriving, with estimates around 5,100 bears roaming the state's mountains, swamps, and river basins.
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| How Many Grizzly Bears In Georgia |
But Don't Black Bears Look a Little...Grizzly?
Black bears can come in a surprising variety of colors, including brown, cinnamon, and even blonde! So, it's understandable why someone might mistake a larger black bear for a grizzly. But here's the key difference: grizzly bears have a prominent hump on their shoulders, something you won't find on a black bear.
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So How Many Grizzlies Are ACTUALLY in Georgia?
The answer? Zero, zilch, nada. While there have been historical records of grizzly bears in Mexico (grizzly bears once had a much wider range), they're sadly extinct in that region.
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Now, if you're looking for some truly enormous wildlife to be on the lookout for, Georgia does have a healthy population of black bears. These guys are plenty big and powerful, so it's always a good idea to be bear aware when spending time outdoors.
How To Deal With Grizzlies in Georgia (Since There Aren't Any)
This one's a trick question! But since black bears are a possibility, here are some quick tips:
- Make noise while hiking: Chatting, singing (off-key karaoke is welcome!), or even clapping keeps bears aware of your presence.
- Store food properly: When camping, use bear canisters or hang your food away from your campsite.
- Never approach a bear: If you see a bear, admire it from a safe distance and slowly back away.
Remember: A fed bear is a dead bear. So, properly dispose of trash and avoid leaving food scraps around.
For more information on black bears in Georgia, check out the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division https://gadnr.org/bear-info.
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