MEBANE, N.C. — Update: WE FOUND THE BEAR! WFMY News 2 reporter Amber Lake and photojournalist Ryan Gavette spotted the bear near the Tanger Outlet mall and the medical center in Mebane Friday afternoon. Check it out!
Bear sightings in Mebane
Have you seen a bear or bears roaming around Mebane?
Alamance County Emergency Services said it's gotten several calls about bear sightings over the past couple of days.
A dispatcher told us on Thursday, they had about a dozen calls from people who saw a black bear walking along Third Street. Police went to the area and said officers did see the bear just before it ran into the woods. They haven't had any bear calls so far Friday.
Viewers have also reached out to us about bear sightings. TeNisha Taylor spotted a black bear across Tanger Outlets on Thursday and shared some photos with us. That's about three miles from where the other sightings happened. NC Wildlife officials said bears can travel far distances in a short amount of time, so it's possible it could be the same bear that was spotted on Third Street.
Why are there so many bear sightings right now?
NC Wildlife said they get a lot of calls about bear sightings during the summer months - not just in the mountains, but even in the Piedmont and near the coast.
“Bears are emerging from their winter dens during spring and becoming more active,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel with NC Wildlife. “Mother bears have emerged from their den with their cubs, 1-year-old bears are leaving their family group and roaming to find a new home, and with breeding season just around the corner, male bears are starting to travel extensively searching for mates. Also, bears are hungry after hibernation, so they are all roaming around looking for food.”
Follow these bear safety tips:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure food, garbage, and recycling.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
- Never leave pet food outdoors.
- Clean and store grills and smokers.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
Did you see the bear? Text us your photos to 336-379-5775! Share your name and the street where you saw the bear so we can properly credit you.
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