Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the largest tracts of wilderness in the East and is a critical sanctuary for a wide variety of animals. Protected in the park are some 65 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species, and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. Photo: Charlie Choc. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/28/14.
Moose in the mist. There was a heavy fog in the river valley on August 29 in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming. This large bull moose was spotted eating his breakfast of Pacific willow leaves and branches near Headquarters. Photo: Tom Koerner. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/29/14.
Photographer Rich Keen captured a tender moment between a bison & calf at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Located just northeast of Denver, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story – it transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary.
This photo, taken 9/16/14, is the first one of Zion National Park’s new California Condor chick. The condor is mostly showing mature plumage, and did a lot of wing flapping when Mom, #409, arrived with a food delivery. It should be developed enough to fly within about 2 months. From the Park’s Facebook page.