The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is stressing the importance of implementing proven methods to deter bears from residences, following an incident involving a bear and resident in Asheville.
On Tuesday night, August 18, a Buncombe County resident encountered a female black bear inside her house and sustained non-life-threatening injuries as the bear attempted to exit the home. The resident was treated at a local hospital and released and is recovering at home. According to witnesses, this bear exhibited behavior of being habituated, food conditioned, and lacking fear of humans.
“From our active investigation, the victim was not intentionally feeding the bear, but it had repeated access to pet food inside the home through an unlocked door and unsecured trash outside,” said NCWRC Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn. “That’s why we want to remind folks about the dangers and consequences of unintentional feeding of wildlife, as repeated access to human-provided foods rewards bears and will lead to bears viewing human homes and neighborhoods as reliable sources of food. The cycle of human habituation and food-conditioning continues when female bears teach their offspring. Communities that follow the BearWise® Basics are less prone to these types of incidents.”
This continues to be an active investigation, but due to evidence that this adult female bear has a history of entering the home and the threat this poses human safety, efforts are being made to capture and humanely dispatch the adult female bear, as well as capture the cubs. NCWRC does not translocate adult bears as it has been proven an ineffective solution and only moves the bear’s learned behavioral issue to another location. NCWRC biologists will determine whether the cubs are at a self-sufficient age to be moved to an undeveloped area based on NCWRC orphaned cub guidelines.
NCWRC continues to encourage the public to follow the BearWise Basics to keep bears wild and people safe, and to deter bears from homes and businesses by securing trash, pet food, and removing bird feeders when bears are active, and to please be diligent about closing and locking the doors and windows of your home, especially if you know bears are in the area. A screen alone cannot prevent access to a habituated and determined bear. Never leave open doors and windows unattended. The addition of electric fencing or electric unwelcome mats is an effective way to discourage bears from entering your home, entryway, beehives, livestock enclosure, or garden without causing permanent harm.
With fall approaching, a time of year when black bear appetites increase to prepare for winter, it's advised all manners of wildlife feeding cease in accordance with both Buncombe County and Asheville city ordinances. Easily accessible food-attractants endanger people, pets, and bears.
For wildlife assistance or to report bear activity, please contact the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401. Learn more about how to keep bears out at BearWise.org.