Piedmont Triad residents are reporting more black bear sightings in recent days. Monday, officials with the Village of Clemmons wrote on social media that they had received several reports of a black bear in a neighborhood. Rockingham County officials also shared this video showing a bear walking through residents’ front yards. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereDeputy James Dewitt with Davie County Animal Services says it’s common to see black bears just over a year old roaming around this time of year.”They just left their nest. They just left their mama. They’re traveling through the county,” he said. “They’re looking for food, and anywhere they can find it, they will take it. They’re also looking for places to settle down.”Dewitt says the best thing people can do to avoid becoming neighbors with a black bear is to make potential sources of food inaccessible. According to BearWise, that means:Securing food, garbage and recycling bins.Removing bird feeders when bears are active.Moving any outdoor pet food indoorsCleaning and storing grillsKeep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission reports that black bears inhabit about 60% of the state’s total land, and as their populations grow, their range increasingly includes the Piedmont Triad. That means even with preventative measures, residents may still encounter bears. Dewitt advises people to “just leave it alone” and ensure neighbors are aware of the presence of bears. However, there are situations in which contacting the authorities is necessary. “If we see a bear in a very populated area, let’s say there are children outside, there are pets outside, domestic that you’re concerned about, that is probably a time when you should contact animal services,” Dewitt said. “That way we can do whatever we need to do to make sure that the public is safe.”Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsMany of the black bears seen this time of year are simply passing through on their way to new territory, but some are permanent residents. “They have lived here before we built our homes on top of their homes,” Dewitt said. “It is important for us to allow them to live their lives in peace, move forward.”For more bear safety tips, click here.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Piedmont Triad residents are reporting more black bear sightings in recent days. Monday, officials with the Village of Clemmons wrote on social media that they had received several reports of a black bear in a neighborhood.
Rockingham County officials also shared this video showing a bear walking through residents’ front yards.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
Deputy James Dewitt with Davie County Animal Services says it’s common to see black bears just over a year old roaming around this time of year.
“They just left their nest. They just left their mama. They’re traveling through the county,” he said. “They’re looking for food, and anywhere they can find it, they will take it. They’re also looking for places to settle down.”
Dewitt says the best thing people can do to avoid becoming neighbors with a black bear is to make potential sources of food inaccessible.
According to BearWise, that means:
- Securing food, garbage and recycling bins.
- Removing bird feeders when bears are active.
- Moving any outdoor pet food indoors
- Cleaning and storing grills
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission reports that black bears inhabit about 60% of the state’s total land, and as their populations grow, their range increasingly includes the Piedmont Triad.
That means even with preventative measures, residents may still encounter bears. Dewitt advises people to “just leave it alone” and ensure neighbors are aware of the presence of bears.
However, there are situations in which contacting the authorities is necessary.
“If we see a bear in a very populated area, let’s say there are children outside, there are pets outside, domestic that you’re concerned about, that is probably a time when you should contact animal services,” Dewitt said. “That way we can do whatever we need to do to make sure that the public is safe.”
Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts
Many of the black bears seen this time of year are simply passing through on their way to new territory, but some are permanent residents.
“They have lived here before we built our homes on top of their homes,” Dewitt said. “It is important for us to allow them to live their lives in peace, move forward.”
For more bear safety tips, click here.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |