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CHARLOTTE, NC – Dozens of neighbors in Northwest Charlotte say they’re on the lookout after two bears were spotted near their homes.
The encounter happened Tuesday around 5:45am.
A teenage girl says she was walking to school on Forest Cross Drive when she saw two bears in the middle of the road, standing about four feet tall. She says the bears ran behind houses and into the woods. That’s when she ran home to tell her dad, who called police.
CMPD Animal Care and Control searched the area for several hours, but didn’t see any bears. Then a North Carolina Wildlife biologist stepped in to search for bear tracks.
“The more mature dominant males that are territorial will run those younger subordinates out, and we see this every year where they’ll roam,” said Rupert Medford, District 6 Wildlife Biologist.
Luckily, Medford says the bears are usually just passing through and looking for new homes.
“We went to the mountains a couple years ago, and they said to ring bells! So we’ll put a bunch of bells out so when we come out in the morning and come in at night and ring the bells and yell ‘Go away bears, we’re coming home!”” said Shan Mills, a North Charlotte resident.
Not a foolproof plan, but families say they’ll try anything to keep the bears away.
“You came through, you didn’t find nothing here you wanted, so just keep it moving” said Mills.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission says between May and July is the most common time of the year for black bear sightings in the Charlotte region.
The NCWRC says if you see a bear, do not run away. Believe it or not, they advise you make sure the bear knows you’re there–clap your hands, wave your arms above your head, and make a lot of noise. Then, experts say to back up and slowly walk away.
