Bears are not an uncommon sight in Western North Carolina, but a burglar bear is a little less common.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has stated that a female bear has been breaking into homes in the Asheville area. Officials believe that she has no fear of people, learned that homes have food for her to eat inside them, and that she poses a threat to humans.
"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.
N.C. WRC first started tracking the bear on Aug. 18, after 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.
Since then, the female bear has tried to break into another four homes.
"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," the N.C. WRC said.
Breaking-and-entering black bear in Asheville area
Around 24-hours after her initial break-in on Aug. 18, the bear reportedly broke into a second home and tried to get into another home. The break-ins continued last weekend when the female bear tried to get into two more homes in the Asheville area, N.C. WRC stated.
Officials state they know the same bear is the culprit responsible for all the break-ins due to her "distinctive" markings.
Is the bear still on the loose in Asheville? What will happen to it?
The female bear is on the loose. Once she is captured, the bear will be humanely euthanized, officials said.
Wildlife officials stated that two of her cubs have been captured. Since the cubs are so young, they have been relocated to an undeveloped area to keep them away from populated areas.
Are black bears dangerous? What to do if you see a black bear
N.C. WRC BearWise warns that while black bears are generally not dangerous and rarely aggressive toward humans, people sharing territory with the animals should do their part to reduce the potential for conflict.
Black bear safety program BearWise recommendations include:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
- Never leave pet food outdoors.
- Clean and store grills and smokers.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
What you should do if you run into a black bear in Western North Carolina
The National Park Service suggests people do this if they run into a bear:
- Remain watchful.
- Do not approach it.
- Do not allow the bear to approach you.
- If the bear is at a distance, feeding, or walking by and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear.
- If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.), you are too close.
- Being too close may provoke aggressive behavior in the bear, such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Breaking-and-entering black bear on the loose in Asheville area
