Black Bear Found Dead at NC State

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and N.C. State University Police Department are investigating a dead black bear found on campus this morning.  Investigators said the carcass had been deliberately placed on a bench at University Plaza near Hillsborough Street — an area commonly known as “The Brickyard.”  The male bear appeared to have been in good health at the time of death. Investigators were not releasing a cause of death or estimated time of death, pending further examination by the Wildlife Commission. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Wildlife Commission hotline at 1-800-662-7137.  Black bear sightings throughout North Carolina are becoming more common as the bear population increases and bears expand their home range. While black bears are not inherently dangerous and are rarely aggressive toward people, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission advises caution to reduce potential conflicts.  In spring, juvenile bears from 1-2 years old disperse beyond their previous home range, while adult bears can roam extensively searching for food and mates. This can include roaming into residential areas. If left alone, most transient bears will find their way quickly out of town and back to natural habitat. People are urged not to approach or follow bears, or put themselves between bears and possible escape routes.