WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Flowers are blooming and warmer temperatures are here, both sure signs of spring. But the season also brings out something else: black bears.
One video sent in from a viewer shows a black bear running near Wrightsville and Wilshire Avenue on Monday.
It sounds like a pretty crazy sight, but experts say it’s actually pretty normal for black bears to be roaming around this time of year.
“A lot of what we’re seeing are last year’s bear yearlings getting kicked out by mom and going out on their own,” said N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission District Biologist John Henry Harrelson. “They’re figuring out their home range.”
A second bear was spotted this week too in Brunswick County. Sadly, it was hit on Highway 17.
“We have quite a few bears get hit on highway 17 every year,” said Harrelson. “I encourage people to be aware on the roadway, pay attention to wildlife that could be moving across our roads.”
Sightings aren’t just happening in our area; they’re happening all over the state. Wildlife experts say most of them are looking for something to eat.
“Bears are really food-driven so if you take away the food, you’re going to take away the interactions with bears,” said Harrelson.
If you head to Bearwise.org you’ll see the best way to stay safe if you see one, is to keep your distance and make sure your food, bird feeders and especially pets are secure.
“Pets and bears don’t really get along,” said Harrelson. “It’s like any wild animal, as long as they aren’t cornered or pressured, they don’t want anything to do with us and we should feel the same way; we don’t want anything to do with them.”
For more information about black bears click here.