Bear tracks spotted on Lenoir greenway

LENOIR, N.C. — The prints are clearly visible in the mud not far from the parking area for the Lenoir Greenway.

The man who took the photos not only saw the prints but also heard noises coming from these woods.

"I'm wearing size 13 shoes," said resident Curt Hiller.

Hiller put his foot right next to the bear tracks he found along the Lenoir Greenway which runs by several neighborhoods.

"I was very pleased by what I saw...because of the fact that the bears are trying to keep in their own routine and domain," Hiller said.

He and his wife spotted the tracks while walking along the Greenway over the weekend. He believes everything from berries along the trail to bird feeders in yards nearby may have attracted a bear to the area.

Wednesday, Eyewitness News showed the tracks to a Lenoir police officer and texted a photo to North Carolina Wildlife officer who told us the tracks came from a bear weighing more than 200 pounds.

"The width and the shape of the claws it is definitely a bear. You want to be concerned go the opposite way. Call law enforcement or animal control," said Marshal Ruppard with Lenoir police.

Essie Mullet and a friend spotted the tracks while walking the greenway Wednesday.

"Big wide tracks. I said lord what did that and I sure didn't know it was a bear," Mullet said.

Others had no idea about the visitor until Channel 9 showed them the tracks up close.

"I'll definitely be a little more cautious. I may turn my iPod off and pay a little better attention," said runner Cyrus Henson.

It's not just tracks police have gotten calls about here. Police say they have had as many as four people describe actually seeing a smaller bear possibly a cub.

WSOC