ASHEVILLE - Today's burning question is bordering on a seasonal staple: What's going on with all the bears in Western North Carolina? Have other questions for our staff? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Question : What is the city’s plan about the bears? I feel like I haven’t heard any updates in the last few years. Is the population still growing, and is there any plan in place to control it? Relatedly, since bears routinely go through trash cans for food, why isn’t everyone in the city automatically issued a bearproof trash can ?
Answer : The black bear population in the Asheville area — and North Carolina as a whole — continues to grow. We reached out to the city of Asheville, but they referred us to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
First, the wildlife commission says that there isn't exactly a "bear problem."
NCWRC spokesperson Anna Gurney told the Citizen Times in an email that the Black Bear Management Plan objective is to stabilize bear populations with 0% growth. Currently, they estimate growth rate at 3%-4%.
"Since this objective was approved in 2012, the bear population in the mountains has grown from an estimated 4,400 bears to an estimated 8,000 bears and continues to increase," Gurney said. "The season dates for the Mountain bear hunting season have not changed since 1977, when there were less than an estimated 900 bears in this region."
Additionally, the wildlife commission does not relocate bears. A news release said that the process of relocation can be dangerous to personnel and the bear. It is also generally not an effective solution, as there are no remaining remote areas in N.C. where relocated bears would be unlikely to interact with humans. Relocated bears often attempt to return to where they were originally captured, ultimately creating a higher risk.
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Bear-resistant trash cans
As for bearproofing, the reader may be pleased to know that the city of Asheville does provide bear-resistant trash cans, but supplies are limited.
Beginning in 2021, the city has offered customers within the Asheville trash collection area bear-resistant trash carts on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of two per household.
The trash carts are 95 gallons and weigh 45 pounds, about 10 pounds heavier than regular trash carts. A $10/month upcharge will be applied to your regular solid waste fee for use of the bear carts, and a minimum one-year commitment for rental of the carts must be made.
The bear carts are "fully automated," meaning they will stay locked when the lid is closed. Carts open when the truck empties them, and via a special latch used to unlock the lid.
As of July 19, 2024, anyone hoping to secure a bear-resistant trash cart from the city should submit their information to the waiting list on the City of Asheville website . Information on the waiting list states that the city is evaluating options for purchasing more bearproof carts.
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Why are there so many bear sightings lately?
Previous Citizen Times reporting covered the yearly increase in bear-related calls to the NCWRC Wildlife Helpline throughout the spring and summer. On top of population growth, there are reasons why sightings are rising.
“Bears are emerging from their winter dens during spring and becoming more active,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel, the wildwlife commission’s game mammals and surveys supervisor and bear expert. “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.”
The news release reminded area residents of the following tenets of bear safety:
- 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.
The NCWRC Wildlife Helpline can be reached at 866-318-2401.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: What is city of Asheville's plan to control black bear population?
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