Local

Mother bear, cub spotted near Highway 321 in Lenoir

LENOIR, N.C. — A mother bear and her cub have been spotted several times along Highway 321 in Lenoir. People in the area said they have seen the bear and her cub crossing the four-lane highway.

Neighbors said they could hear the cub calling out for the mother bear, after the two became separated by the traffic for about an hour.

"It startled me. I went running back inside the house,” neighbor Peggy Lambert said.

“And called 911?” reporter Dave Faherty questioned.

“Yes. But there's nothing they can do. It's their land too. I understand that," Lambert said.

Neighbor Mark Hartso also showed Dave what he believed to be a bear pawprint just feet from his front door.

“It looks like a bear paw to me,” Hartso said.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said the bear population is increasing in the area, and when one is spotted they residents should make sure they are taking safety precautions to keep their pets and the bears safe.

"It would scare me to death if we actually saw it. We've heard of a bear being out here before but haven't actually seen it. But to see it would be very scary,“ neighbor Johanna Hartso said.

To keep small animals safe and keep the bears away from your house, pick up bird feeders and make sure dog food is in the house. If a bear is spotted, keep a safe distance, and the bear will likely move on.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: