ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A North Asheville resident is recovering after a close encounter with a black bear Tuesday night, according to responding agencies. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Spooks Branch Road.
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, an adult female bear entered a North Asheville home while her three cubs remained outside on the porch.
The victim, who asked not to be identified, was injured while attempting to get the bear out of the home.
N.C. Wildlife officials say they are now working to capture and euthanize the adult female bear, since she poses a threat to human safety. Wildlife officials are also attempting to capture and relocate the three cubs, which they say are old enough to be self-sufficient.
READ MORE: BEAR INJURES RESIDENT AFTER ENTERING UNLOCKED HOME IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY: OFFICIALS
Neighbors say bear activity in the area is nothing unusual.
“They’re not scared if you don’t come too close, and they just play on the trees or with the cubs if they have cubs,” said resident Maria Guzman.
Melissa Heath, another resident, said bears often spend time in the meadow, creek and a nearby pond.
Several residents said they have had close encounters with bears over the years.
AUG. 19, 2026 – A North Asheville resident is recovering after a close encounter with a black bear Tuesday night, according to responding agencies. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Spooks Branch Road. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Heath recalled one incident when a mother bear removed a window from her home and entered the house, followed by her cubs. She said the bear appeared to be looking for food, including cat food.
Guzman said she has also seen bears around her home, including cubs getting into bird feeders and a mother bear going through the trash.
Residents have taken precautions to keep bears out, including securing trash cans, gating off porches and installing bars over windows.
INCREASED BEAR ACTIVITY CLOSES CAMPING AREA NEAR MT. MITCHELL STATE PARK: FOREST SERVICE
Despite those precautions, neighbors said they were surprised to learn that a bear had injured someone.
“I’ve been here living in Asheville more than 35 years, and I have never heard about that,” Guzman said.
Heath said that, in her experience, the bears have not typically shown aggression toward people.
“They’re never aggressive. In my experience, they’re, you know, they will go after food. But I’ve never had a problem with them being aggressive,” she said.