How often are bears seen around the Charlotte area? We asked a wildlife expert
Bear sightings are becoming more common in residential areas of North Carolina.
The U.S. Forest Service in May warned visitors to Pisgah and Nantahala national forests that bears were coming alarmingly close to humans and even circling campsites in western North Carolina.
In June 2021, reports of aggressive bears led to a temporary ban on camping along the Appalachian Trail in the area, from Double Springs Shelter to Backbone Rock Side Trail.
North Carolina’s most recent bear-attack fatality was a 2020 incident when a man was killed while camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Black bears, the only species of bear in North Carolina, are found in around 60% of the state’s total land area, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Most bears that wander to the central part of the state are male, around two years old, and weigh less than 100 pounds, the NCWRC says. But they can still be dangerous under the right conditions.
Here’s how often bears migrate to Mecklenburg County and what you should do if you encounter one.
How often do bears come to Mecklenburg County?
On a busy year, there can be as many as six bear sightings in Mecklenburg County, according to NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Rupert Medford.
“When they come to the Charlotte area, which is mostly residential, it’s very temporary,” Medford explained. “It’s initiated by their breeding behavior. It’s a natural time for young males to disperse.”
“There are lots of places in Piedmont that have enough food, and they’re even some places that have enough security,” he added. “But there’s one thing that Piedmont doesn’t have, and that’s female bears.”
Though some bears have stayed in rural areas of Piedmont for a few months, said Medford, many that have been spotted in the Charlotte area were likely traveling to the mountains or the coast where they normally live.
What should you do if you see a bear?
While bears are generally even-tempered, there are some instances that could cause them to become aggressive.
“You have to recognize they are large, powerful animals and there are certain situations that could be problematic,” Medford said, who also suggested that the public explore additional safety information on the website BearWise.org.
“For example, you wouldn’t want to trap one in your garage or surprise one coming around the corner that’s eating food, since they can exhibit defensive behaviors.”
The NCWRC offers the following safety tips if you encounter a bear:
Try to stay calm and observe it from a safe distance.
Make it aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice and waving your hands above your head to make yourself look bigger.
Back up slowly and walk away.
Keep your pets locked up.
Don’t approach, surround or corner it.
Don’t feed it.
Lock your garbage cans to prevent them from getting inside.
