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Ashley Hobbs

Special Projects Biologist

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

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Escalating Bear Behavior in Asheville & Buncombe County

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2025 Bear-related Calls to NC Wildlife Helpline

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Buncombe County: 2017-Present

250+ entries to homes reported

(143 since September 2023)

11 humans injured

(7 since 2023)

Average 38% of statewide calls annually

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Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

Source: NCWRC

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Buncombe County: 2017-Present

30 bears dispatched by NCWRC due to public safety concerns

(26 since 2023)

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NCWRC staff have responded by:

    • Hiring a Special Projects Biologist
    • Providing immediate BearWise education
    • Providing technical guidance on non lethal techniques to deter bears
    • Conducting aversive conditioning.
    • Conducting site visits to homeowners feeding bears purposely and incidentally
    • Developing rule language to allow our staff to take criminal action on intentional bear feeding

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What does NCWRC recommend?

  • Wildlife feeding ordinance
    • Continue to enforce & communicate with public
    • Raise penalties
  • Consistent BearWise outreach by the County & City
    • Promote NC Wildlife Helpline as go-to contact for bear concerns
  • Expand bear-resistant cart program
    • More bear-resistant carts
    • Encourage retrofit options

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Why does trash matter? – Florida Study

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Barrett, Mark A.; Barrett, Sarah E.; Telesco, David J.; and Orlando, Michael A. (2023) "Human–Black Bear Interactions and Public Attitudinal Changes in an Urban Ordinance Zone," Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 17: Iss. 1, Article 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/f546-9ddd

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After bear-resistant carts:

    • 91% decline in property damage
    • 77% decline in bears in buildings
    • 66% decline in human-bear interactions
    • 17% residents reported spending more time outdoors
    • 0 bears observed eating garbage

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Why does trash matter? – Asheville Study

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Questions?

Ashley Hobbs

NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Special Projects Biologist

ashley.hobbs@ncwildlife.gov

BearWise®

Created by bear biologists.

Supported by state wildlife agencies.