ASHEVILLE, NC (WTVD) -- Call it another side effect of the early spring - bears in the western part of North Carolina are getting an early wake up call.
The animals are being sighted weeks ahead of schedule.
Bears usually come out the first week of April, but are getting roused from hibernation by the warmer weather.
In addition to the bears showing up early, officials say there are a lot more of them, because food is so plentiful.