Headed to the NC mountains this holiday? Careful, bear cubs on the loose

A North Carolina wildlife biologist says people living in the Asheville area can expect to see more young bears soon because their mothers are kicking them out to be on their own.

Mike Carraway of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Asheville Citizen-Times the cubs are about a year and a half old. Carraway said the mother bears are kicking their children out so they can mate again, and the cubs are prowling around and getting into trouble.

Several areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remained closed this week because of bear activity. That includes the Spence Field Backcountry Shelter, where a bear bit a hiker more than two weeks ago.

A park spokeswoman said officials haven’t located the bear involved in the attack.

Associated Press

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 2:54 PM.