Local

A red wolf and a dog and bears, oh my. Our photographers captured these photos

By Scott Sharpe
Bo, a K-9 bloodhound for the Gastonia Police Department stands beside the dais, as he is honored by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein for his heroic actions that helped save a teenager with special needs during a snowstorm earlier this year. Bo’s partner Sgt. David Rowland was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and Bo was awarded a Certificate of Pup-preciation.
Bo, a K-9 bloodhound for the Gastonia Police Department stands beside the dais, as he is honored by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein for his heroic actions that helped save a teenager with special needs during a snowstorm earlier this year. Bo’s partner Sgt. David Rowland was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and Bo was awarded a Certificate of Pup-preciation. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Here’s a curated selection of animal photos from the Triangle and beyond as captured through the lenses of News & Observer photojournalists. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

A bear cub clings to a low-hanging tree limb along Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the park’s vehicle-free days on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays from May 6 through Sept. 30, 2026, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use the road without vehicle traffic.
A bear cub clings to a low-hanging tree limb along Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the park’s vehicle-free days on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays from May 6 through Sept. 30, 2026, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use the road without vehicle traffic. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A group of elk wades in the Oconaluftee River at Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Elk were wiped out in the region by overhunting in the 1700s and 1800s. The National Park Service reintroduced 52 elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2001 and 2002. Today, about 270 elk live in Western North Carolina, including about 200 in the park.
A group of elk wades in the Oconaluftee River at Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Elk were wiped out in the region by overhunting in the 1700s and 1800s. The National Park Service reintroduced 52 elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2001 and 2002. Today, about 270 elk live in Western North Carolina, including about 200 in the park. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A wild turkey walks along Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the park’s vehicle-free days on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays from May 6 through Sept. 30, 2026, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use the road without vehicle traffic.
A wild turkey walks along Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the park’s vehicle-free days on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays from May 6 through Sept. 30, 2026, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use the road without vehicle traffic. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A white-tailed deer fawn rests along a fence line in the Woodcrest neighborhood in East Raleigh near the Crabtree Creek Greenway in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
A white-tailed deer fawn rests along a fence line in the Woodcrest neighborhood in East Raleigh near the Crabtree Creek Greenway in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A red wolf walks near an irrigation canal at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the late afternoon on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Red wolves are the world’s most endangered wolf species. About 15 to 17 red wolves live in the wild in eastern North Carolina, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
A red wolf walks near an irrigation canal at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the late afternoon on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Red wolves are the world’s most endangered wolf species. About 15 to 17 red wolves live in the wild in eastern North Carolina, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A Great Blue Heron perches on a rock in the Haw River near Saxapahaw Island Park on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
A Great Blue Heron perches on a rock in the Haw River near Saxapahaw Island Park on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:54 PM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER