Fauna Series No. 1 Cover Contents Foreword Approach Methods Analysis Conspectus Suggested Policy

Fauna of the National Parks of the United States CONSPECTUS OF WILD-LIFE PROBLEMS OF EACH PARK GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS The proper establishment of a national park is the most important factor to its wild life thereafter. Either the park embodies the life-zone habitats of its fauna or else faunal complications follow until the situation is rectified, and in the meantime certain rare species are apt to go over the brink. Before the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is finally established there should be a study of the winter range to be sure that the deer and other roving animals of the park are provided for permanently, within the park. If the boundary is placed along a small stream at the bottom of a valley used in winter by the park animals, the boundary should be moved far enough up the other side of that valley to insure complete protection of that winter range area. Otherwise, the game is left with practically no protection when it is most needed. There will have to be a great deal of restoration before the Great Smokies fauna can begin to resemble its former status. The region has been inhabited for generations, and the animal life utilized until it is no longer abundant. The park lies naturally within the range of the opossum, black bear, raccoon, long-tailed weasel, mink, otter, skunk, red fox, wolf, wild cat, mountain lion, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, red squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, woodchuck, rabbit, beaver, muskrat, white-tailed deer, elk, and many others, but these are at least representative of the animal life which could be expected under normal conditions. Whether all these would exist naturally in the Great Smoky Mountains within the park proper, would have to be worked out. Wild turkey is also present, although this turkey is reported to be a hybrid with the domestic turkey. One of the most important projects in order to rehabilitate this park would be the early establishment of a faunal survey to gain intimate knowledge of the present wild-life situation, its picture in the past, and the practical steps toward restoration and protection. EASTERN PARKS Proposed Everglades | Great Smoky Mountains PARKS Southwest | Rocky Mountain | Pacific Coast | Eastern | Territorial

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