Black bears sighted in the Triangle, Chapel Hill police say. Here’s how to stay safe.
Chapel Hill authorities are reporting two black bear sightings “in the past two nights,” both along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the town police department said Sunday.
According to a news release from the department, police officers reported one sighting where MLK Jr. Boulevard intersects at Blossom Lane, and another where the road intersects at Dixie Lane.
Black bears are generally non-aggressive toward humans, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The commission said in a news release last April that increased black bear sightings in residential and populated areas of the state come “as no surprise since the state’s bear population has grown over the past 50 years and the residential footprint has grown.”
If you see a black bear, the commission recommends staying calm. You should not approach, surround or corner the bear.
If the bear “changes its natural behavior because of your presence, you are too close,” the commission says. “Back away slowly and once you are a safe distance away from the bear, make lots of noise to frighten the bear away.”
Tips for avoiding conflict with bears
The Wildlife Resources Commission recommends taking these steps to safely and peacefully coexist with black bears and avoid conflicts, as The News & Observer previously reported.
▪ Never feed or approach a bear. If you intentionally feed a bear, such as by leaving food out for them, you’re essentially encouraging bears to approach homes and people to look for more. Avoid leaving out food, or anything that smells or tastes like food, in an area where a bear might find it. If you do see a bear, either at your home or elsewhere, don’t approach it. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so it’s best for your safety and theirs to leave them alone.
▪ Secure food, garbage and recycling. Don’t “reward” bears with easily available food, garbage or recycling. Store any bags of trash that you take out inside trashcans and inside a garage or other covered structure, such as a shed, if possible. You can also use trash cans with a secure latching system or that are bear resistant. When it’s time for your scheduled trash collection, place your trash outside as late as possible on the morning of trash pick-up — not the night before.
▪ Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed, other grains and hummingbird feeders have high calorie contents, making them very attractive to bears. “Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears,” NCWRC says.
▪ Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed your pets inside whenever possible. If you have to feed your pets outdoors, feed them in single-serving portions, and remove the food and bowls after feeding. Avoid storing pet food outdoors or where bears would have easy access to it.
▪ Clean and store grills. The weather is warming up, so you might be firing up your grill more often. Make sure you clean your grill after each use, making sure any grease, fat and food particles are removed, including drip trays. You should store your clean grills and smokers in a secure area, such as a garage or shed.
▪ Alert neighbors to bear activity. If you see a bear near your home or see evidence of bear activity nearby, you should tell your neighbors — and share with them information, such as the tips provided here, about how to avoid bear conflicts.
More information about black bears in NC
More information about black bears in North Carolina is available at ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Black-Bear.
This story was originally published June 4, 2023 at 1:12 PM.
