A bear in Charlotte’s HOA community has residents on high alert. This is not the first sighting of a bear in the neighborhood, and while bear attacks don’t occur often, residents are still understandably on edge.
Bear in Charlotte HOA Sparks Concern
The Wellington Homeowners Association in northeast Charlotte issued a warning on Friday after a bear was spotted in the neighborhood near Mallard Creek Greenway.
“All neighbors, be aware,” the HOA cautioned.
The HOA identified the creature as a young male black bear near a homeowner’s outdoor deck. Residents saw the bear in various locations within the subdivision. According to the HOA, one neighbor saw it near Saxonbury Way and another near Garden Grove Lane.
The HOA called 911 to ensure public safety. However, no nuisance reports have been made involving the bear. A state Wildlife officer must intervene if a resident or the HOA files a nuisance report. This is the protocol according to N.C. Wildlife Resources Officer Sampson Parker.
Not the First Time
Residents previously spotted a bear swimming across Lake Norman, about 15 miles west of the current sightings. However, it is unclear whether it is the same bear.
Parker noted that the bear seen near Lake Norman was likely the same one spotted in western Mecklenburg a few weeks later. The reason for the bear’s continued presence in the area is unknown, as most young male bears usually pass through during this time of year.
According to Parker, these young males generally seek larger and more secluded territories, often heading to coastal or mountainous regions. Black bears, unlike grizzlies and other brown bears, rarely attack humans. They typically flee upon detecting human scent.
“They look big and bad, but they’re not known to be aggressive animals,” he stated.
Wildlife experts advise that residents not leave trash out overnight or feed in bird feeders to avoid attracting bears. They should also clean their grills and remove scented items from outside or near open windows. This will help deter bears and other stray animals.
