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NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – A young black bear was spotted running through downtown New Bern this afternoon.
A WITN viewer shared photos of the bear after first spotting what she thought was an off-leash dog around 3:30 p.m. near the marinas. Once she got inside a nearby store, she realized it was actually a bear.
She said the bear was trapped inside a gated courtyard before jumping a fence onto Middle Street, where it ran past people strolling downtown.
As people screamed and scattered, she snapped photos after a parking enforcement officer yelled, “It’s right behind you!”
The bear was even seen running past banners featuring bears along South Front Street.
The bear was spotted this afternoon.(Submitted photo)
The bear is New Bern’s official mascot, with dozens of decorated bear statues throughout downtown.
The viewer said the close encounter was a little scary, but she’s glad she got the photos.
She said visitors often ask why there are bears all over New Bern, and now she has a story to tell.
Black bear spotted on Thursday afternoon(Submitted photo)
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