Just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend sits one of the region’s most important wildlife organizations. Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) is a nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned and injured black bear cubs so they can return to the wild.

Their work is quiet by design. The goal is not to create permanent residents or public exhibits. It is to give young bears the temporary care they need, then release them as wild animals that will never seek out people for food.

The Mission

ABR’s mission has three clear parts:

• Rehabilitate orphaned and injured black bears for release back to the wild
• Educate the public about black bears and the threats they face in this region
• Study bear traits that may help solve larger environmental and health questions

Cubs arrive through wildlife officials. Staff assess their health, provide formula or solid food as needed, and house older cubs in large outdoor enclosures designed to mimic the wild. Fencing is covered so the bears have almost no contact with people. The moment a cub is strong enough, it is tagged and released.

This hands-off approach is intentional. Bears that leave ABR must remain wary of humans if they are to survive long-term in the Smokies.

A Short History

The roots of Appalachian Bear Rescue reach back to the hard mast failure of fall 1989. A severe shortage of nuts and seeds pushed bears into lower elevations. Human-bear conflicts rose, and an unusually high number of cubs were orphaned.

A group of volunteers stepped in to help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Great Smoky Mountains National Park care for those cubs. They received a corporate charter on July 31, 1990, and tax-exempt status in February 1991. The first bear, named Zero, arrived on July 8, 1996, and was released on September 20 of that same year.

Since then, ABR has cared for more than 400 black bears. Cubs have come from Tennessee and, over the years, from several surrounding states. The facility has grown from a single fenced area into a more complete rehabilitation center with nursery space, recovery areas, and large wild enclosures.

A New Chapter in 2026

In late July 2026, ABR welcomed its first cub in more than a year and a half. Hemlock, a male cub found alone near a Gatlinburg residence, arrived severely underweight. He is bear number 427 in the organization’s history.

His arrival marks the end of a difficult pause. After a pneumonia outbreak led to the loss of multiple cubs in late 2024, ABR stopped accepting new animals while it rebuilt. Staff and supporters raised more than a million dollars, constructed new enclosures, improved sanitation systems, and met new state requirements for density, soil testing, and release protocols.

The facility is now operating again under stricter guidelines, including limits on the number of bears per acre and a focus on Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park animals. The restart is a quiet success story of persistence and community support.

Visitor and Education Center

The actual rescue facility is closed to the public. Tennessee law and good wildlife practice keep the bears isolated so they stay wild.

What is open is the Trillium Cove Visitor and Education Center at 121 Painted Trillium Way in Townsend (inside the Trillium Cove Shopping Center off East Lamar Alexander Parkway / Highway 321).

Hours:

• Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Closed Sundays

At the center you can:

• Watch videos of past cubs ABR has helped
• Learn how black bears live and how people can share the mountains safely
• Browse the gift shop (all proceeds support the mission)
• Pick up information on BearWise practices

The center also hosts monthly open houses with practical demonstrations on bear-proofing techniques and runs education programs for schools, camps, and community groups. The Junior Curator program gives younger visitors a chance to learn more deeply.

What Visitors Can Do to Help

Most orphaned cubs reach ABR because of human-related problems: unsecured trash, bird feeders left out, food left in vehicles, or intentional feeding. The single most useful thing visitors and residents can do is practice basic BearWise habits:

• Secure trash and garbage cans
• Take down bird feeders when bears are active
• Never leave food or coolers in vehicles
• Never feed a bear
• Report problems early to the proper authorities

Fewer conflicts mean fewer orphans. That is the long-term goal.

How to Support Appalachian Bear Rescue

ABR operates entirely on private support. Ways to help include:

• One-time or recurring donations
• Symbolic adoption of a current cub (such as Hemlock)
• Shopping the online store or the Visitor Center gift shop
• Becoming a member
• Considering a legacy gift through a will, retirement account, or life insurance policy

Every dollar supports food, veterinary care, facility maintenance, and the staff who provide round-the-clock care when cubs are present.

Membership

Individual and family memberships are available for one year from the date of joining. Benefits typically include:

• Membership card and weatherproof ABR logo decal
• Free access to most classes and events at the Visitor Center
• Access to virtual education classes
• Early entry to special events
• 10 percent discount at the ABR store when you show your membership
• Bi-monthly email newsletter with cub updates and event information

Membership is one of the steadiest ways to support the ongoing work.

Why This Matters

Black bears are a defining part of the Great Smoky Mountains. When orphaned or injured cubs get a genuine second chance to return to the wild as truly wild animals, the entire ecosystem benefits. ABR has spent three decades proving that careful, hands-off rehabilitation works.

The Visitor Center in Townsend is an easy stop for anyone exploring the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. You will not see live bears there, and that is exactly the point. What you will find is clear information, a chance to support real conservation work, and a reminder that the health of these mountains depends on how carefully people and bears share the same landscape.

For the latest updates on current cubs, open house dates, or ways to give, visit appalachianbearrescue.org.