Has there ever been a creature so fearsome yet so adorable? If you spend enough time hiking or picnicking in the mountains near Asheville, then odds are it's only a matter of time before your next bear encounter—and 2015 may be a particularly great year for sightings. Abundant natural foods like acorns and berries this past fall mean more bear cubs. An average black bear litter is two
Meet Obi-Wan and Olive, two adorable North American river otters that call the WNC Nature Center home. These playful creatures are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats and can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. A river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. Facts You Otter Know Life expectancy in zoos: 16 years Life
Pack a Picnic for Cataloochee Valley A quick trip to the gorgeous Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains offers big rewards. The biggest is getting a close-up view of the majestic elk that weigh up to 900 pounds, making them the largest animals in the park. The large meadows by the roadside allow for easy watching as the elk roam, graze and interact. Elk roamed the Appalachian Mountains
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