DENVER, N.C. — Channel 9 has reported on bear sightings from Lenoir to Waxhaw to Charlotte in the past few months, and the most recent sighting comes from Denver.
Bear sighting coverage:
- Black bear on the move in downtown Hickory
- Mother bear, cub spotted near Highway 321 in Lenoir
- Bear spotted in Matthews again after several weekend sightings
- Black bear reported in Matthews days after video surfaced in Waxhaw
A driver spotted a black bear on South Little Egypt Road, which is near several popular stores and restaurants.
Shoppers at the nearby Walmart had mixed feelings about the recent run-ins.
“As long as they don't mess with us, I think that we're OK. Just let them be,” said one shopper.
“I haven't seen any bears and if I do, you probably won't know that I saw one cuz I'd be out,” said another customer.
Wildlife experts said as development grows in the area, bears are getting edged out.
The bears search for new homes, as well as food, would explain their increasingly close quarters with humans.
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Cox Media Group