Chapel Hill alerts residents to recent black bear sightings
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Chapel Hill police officers have reported two bear sightings along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. during the past two nights,
One sighting was at the intersection with Blossom Lane, and the other, at Dixie Lane.
A person living along Weaver Dairy Road near Timberline Shopping Center shared video with ABC11 showing what appears to be a bear walking across a front yard. The video was recorded around 3 a.m. Saturday.
Black bears tend to be shy and non-aggressive toward humans, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The state agency offered tips to avoid problems with bears:
- Never feed or approach bears
- Secure food, garbage, and recycling
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active
- Never leave pet food out
- Clean and store grills
- Let neighbors know about bear activity
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources commission says, if you see a bear, stay calm. They are usually wary of people - unless humans feed or provoke them.
Never approach, surround, or corner a bear. If it changes its natural behavior because of your presence, you are too close. Back away slowly and once you are a safe distance away from the bear, make lots of noise to frighten the bear away.
Learn more about black bear safety here.
