ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — After previously announcing that a black bear that has habitually broken into homes in a North Asheville neighborhood would be put down, officials have announced a collaboration with the North Carolina Zoo to keep the bear alive.
The bear, nicknamed Dolly – for the late Dolly Parton – by neighborhood residents, had injured an Asheville resident during a home break-in in August 2026 and since attempted several more forcible home entries. Multiple efforts by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to capture the bear have been unsuccessful, but two of her cubs had been captured and relocated to an undeveloped area by early September.
Despite a previous announcement that the bear would be humanely dispatched, the NCWRC has reversed course, officials said in a statement.
“NCWRC staff have been in contact with the N.C. Zoo and, in the event we can safely capture the North Asheville bear alive, the Zoo has agreed to temporarily care for the bear until an appropriate permanent home is identified,” said Anna Gurney, public relations manager for the NCWRC. “Biologists will continue efforts to safely capture the bear despite limited success thus far. Staff will continue to monitor the neighborhood and respond to reports to the NC Wildlife Helpline.”
The N.C. Zoo is located at 4401 Zoo Pkwy in Asheboro, N.C.
In the meantime, “the public is asked to continue to notify NCWRC of concerning or threatening bear behavior and is reminded to contact 911 in the event of an emergency. Communities are urged to follow BearWise guidance and refrain from feeding or attracting bears,” Gurney said.
The NC Wildlife Helpline is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (866) 318-2401.
For more bear safety tips, visit www.bearwise.org.
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