The North Carolina Wildlife Commission ordered the deaths of six black bears from Buncombe County in western North Carolina for breaking into homes searching for food. Six black bears, including two newborn cubs, were killed after breaking into homes in Haw Creek and Black Mountain. A third cub escaped.
The bears had broken into one home four times times within a few days while the homeowners were away. One bear who is thought to have been part of the gang still remains at large.
And here’s the saddest part of the bears being killed. Officials say the incidents were a direct result of bears relying on human food sources.
The Commission states they cannot relocate the animals once they become accustomed to humans; thus they are euthanized.
Residents need to learn to live with bears. May we suggest the following from BearWise.
Never feed or approach a bear.
Secure food, garbage and recycling.
Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
Never leave pet food outdoors, and keep dogs leashed.
Clean and store grills.
Inform your neighbors.
Unfortunately, bears have become accustomed to breaking into homes and cars for easy food sources. Mother bears are even teaching their cubs to break into homes.
According to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Special Projects Biologist Ashley Hobbs,
This is truly a people problem not a bear problem. Bears’ behavior is a reflection of human behavior. If the community is doing everything right, you won’t get many calls of bears breaking into homes.
It’s tragic to know these bears did not have to be put to death. When necropsies were performed on the bears, they were all found to have people food in their stomachs, simply meaning if people would secure their trash, not feed wildlife and abide by the above suggested precautions, these bears would likely be alive enjoying their lives.
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