Current:Home > InvestHelene victims face another worry: Bears-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Helene victims face another worry: Bears
View Date:2024-12-23 19:38:45
ASHEVILLE, N.C. ‒ Bear-human conflict may increase in Western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is warning.
Colleen Olfenbuttel, a black bear biologist for the NCWRC said that though there had been no reports of bear attacks as of Friday, an increase in reports of bear sightings led the commission to issue the warning in an attempt to avoid potential problems.
"We do have concerns that, with the number of damaged homes, it provides a lot of opportunity for bears to gain easy access to homes," Olfenbuttel told the Asheville Citizen Times ‒ part of the USA TODAY Network.
Did any bears die in Helene?
Olfenbuttel said there had been only one report to the NCWRC of a bear possibly injured in the storm, and none of bear deaths. She added that's likely in part due to their natural instincts.
"Compared to other wildlife, bears are remarkably adaptive to a whole host of conditions, including storms like this," she said. "Even though they don't have TVs or radios like us, they are wild animals that kind of can sense when a storm is coming, and they know to take shelter. We've received videos of bears going up in trees to escape floodwaters and to ride out the storm, which is kind of their natural behavior."
The recent warning from the NCWRC also said that bears are not experiencing a shortage of natural food sources in the wake of Helene and, as always, should under no circumstances be offered food.
Sewage problems may attract bears
Olfenbuttel said the rumor that black bears may be attracted to human feces left outdoors during water outages and issues with sewage systems in WNC could have some basis in reality.
"We certainly know that one component of trash that can attract certain bears — not all bears necessarily, you know; bears have sometimes have individual tastes just like us — but we do know certain bears, boy, when they find trash with a dirty diaper, they love it," she said.
But avoiding attracting bears with makeshift outdoor toilets is likely easier than avoiding attracting bears with garbage and food. Olfenbuttel said her advice is the same she would give regardless of bear activity.
"If you're having to use the bathroom outside, if it's possible, use a shovel, make a hole in the ground, use it, and then put the TP in there and cover it with dirt. And doing that will go a long ways in assuring that it doesn't become attractive," she said.
How to stay safe from bears
BearWise, a consortium of bear biologists including the NCWRC, offers this advice:
- Keep windows and doors closed and latched if bears are observed in your area. If you are unable to secure them due to damage, consider setting out an "unwelcome mat" made of plywood and nails.
- If you have an outdoor refrigerator or freezer, consider installing a padlock on the door to keep bears from accessing any food inside.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling. This may be more difficult with many trash services suspended in areas of WNC. The NCWRC recommends making every effort to store garbage in a bear-resistant structure, such as a shed, garage or home until it can be collected.
- Add bear-resistant measures to your trashcans using instructions from BearWise at bearwise.org under the heading "Keep Bears Out."
If you need to report bear behavior and activity, contact the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 or [email protected].
See the full NCWRC news release on the agency's blog at ncwildlife.org/blog/2024.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
veryGood! (9617)
Related
- Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M
- Every Time Mila Kunis Said Something Relatable AF About Motherhood
- Horoscopes Today, August 12, 2023
- As free press withers in El Salvador, pro-government social media influencers grow in power
- Suspect in deadly 2023 Atlanta shooting is deemed not competent to stand trial
- Horoscopes Today, August 13, 2023
- A history of Hawaii's sirens and the difference it could have made against Maui fires
- 2 dead after plane strikes power line, crashes in lake in western North Carolina, authorities say
- NBA today: Injuries pile up, Mavericks are on a skid, Nuggets return to form
- Plane crashes at Thunder Over Michigan air show; 2 people parachute from jet
Ranking
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson Says He Has Nothing to Hide About His Family Life With Wife Sam Taylor-Johnson
- See how one volunteer group organized aid deliveries after fire decimates Lahaina
- Kim Kardashian Supports Drake at L.A. Concert After His Search & Rescue Shout-Out
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- Florida kayaker captures video of dolphin swimming in bioluminescent waters for its food
- Water rescues, campground evacuations after rains flood parts of southeastern Missouri
- Biden administration urges colleges to pursue racial diversity without affirmative action
Recommendation
-
Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
-
'No time to grieve': Maui death count could skyrocket, leaving many survivors traumatized
-
Judge sides with young activists in first-of-its-kind climate change trial in Montana
-
Jimmy Fallon Is the Ultimate Rockstar During Surprise Performance at Jonas Brothers Concert
-
Sean Diddy Combs' Lawyers File New Motion for Bail, Claiming Evidence Depicts a Consensual Relationship
-
Hilary Duff's Relatable Wellness Approach Is What Dreams Are Made Of
-
Horoscopes Today, August 12, 2023
-
Russia targets Ukrainian city of Odesa again but Kyiv says it shot down all the missiles and drones