Black bear in Charlotte wandered through Highland Creek, state says. See video

A rare bear sighting has been confirmed in north Charlotte, just ahead of the three-day Memorial Day weekend.

It was caught on video around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in The Glen at Highland Creek, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reports.

Witnesses reported seeing the bear calmly strolling across lawns in the neighborhood, which is near the intersection of Interstate 485 and Mallard Creek Road. It was also seen feasting from someone’s bird feeder.

Linda and Larry Poelma had been eating supper in their sun room when it suddenly appeared outside the window, about eight feet away. The couple have lived in the community more than 10 years, and it counted as a first.

“My husband was clearing the table, and he said: ‘It’s a bear.’ I thought he was joking, but it was a bear,” Linda Poelma told The Charlotte Observer. “It was not in a hurry. I was fascinated. We both were, but we were inside.”

It eventually wandered into some woods that act as a buffer between the couple’s home and a golf course, she said.

“I warned the neighbors and told everybody to be on the lookout. Maybe don’t walk at night,” she said.

Black bears are largely found in the mountain and coastal regions, but there is evidence some will pass through the Piedmont seasonally.

In recent weeks, bears have been reported in Fayetteville, Hillsborough, Rockingham and Durham, and one was struck by a car in Rocky Mount on May 13, the state says. A dead one was found by a road in Reidsville, officials said.

Bear sightings “in unlikely or unusual places” tend to spike from Memorial Day weekend through early summer, the state says. There is no cause for alarm, experts say.

“A bear traveling to or through a highly populated area, even a place like Charlotte, is not an emergency,” District Biologist Rupert Medford said in a news release. “The best thing you can do is leave it alone, do not approach the bear, and let it travel on through.”

BearWise Safety

Bear safety for North Carolina homeowners begins with avoiding anything that alters the lifestyle of the predators, experts say.

• Never feed or approach bears. “Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs,” the state says.
• Secure food, garbage and recycling. “Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage,” the state says.
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active. “Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears,” the state says.
• Never leave pet food outdoors. “Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it,” the state says.
• Clean and store grills. “Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out,” the state says.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Black bear in Charlotte wandered through Highland Creek, state says. See video."