ASHEVILLE - A North Asheville bear, named Dolly by her supporters, was set to be euthanized, but the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission walked back that decision after a campaign to save the bear's life.
Here's what's known about Dolly the bear, and where things stand.
Buncombe County woman injured by bear in her home
The Wildlife Resources Commission announced in August that on Aug. 18, a Buncombe County resident encountered a female black bear inside her house and was injuredas the bear tried to exit the home. The woman was treated at a local hospital and released.
“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,” NCWRC Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn
said in a press release. “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."
Bear reportedly broke into additional homes
A day after her initial break-in on Aug. 18, the bear reportedly broke into a second home and tried to get into another home. The bear went on to try to break into two more homes in the Asheville area, the N.C. WRC stated. Wildlife officials said that two of the bear's cubs were captured and relocated to an undeveloped area.
"She has learned that all homes have food inside. This bear not only poses a risk to human safety, but she is teaching her cubs the same dangerous and unnatural behavior," the N.C. WRC said in an update on Sept. 2. "She is not afraid of people, causing extensive property damage, and has forcibly entered homes of residents that have no evidence of unsecured trash or other unsecured attractants outdoors."
New plans for 'Dolly' following campaign to save bear
On Sept. 18, the N.C. WRC said in a statement that the bear would be sent to the North Carolina Zoo if captured.
"“NCWRC staff have been in contact with the N.C. Zoo and, in the event we can safely capture the North Asheville bear alive, the Zoo has agreed to temporarily care for the bear until an appropriate permanent home is identified," the statement read. "Biologists will continue efforts to safely capture the bear despite limited success thus far. Staff will continue to monitor the neighborhood and respond to reports to the NC Wildlife Helpline."
The public is asked to continue to notify N.C. WRC of concerning or threatening bear behavior and is reminded to contact 911 in the event of an emergency, N.C. WRC said. Communities are urged to follow BearWise guidance and refrain from feeding or attracting bears, the agency added.
Kara Fohner is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com or call her at 980-241-8671.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville bear 'Dolly' was saved from death. Here's what to know.
