North Carolina
NC Wildlife: No charges in Asheville ‘black bear cub harassment’ for selfies
Bear cubs snatched from tree for use as selfie prop in Asheville
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is investigating the incident that occurred at Berrington Village Apartments in Asheville, April 16.
ASHEVILLE — After a group of people were videotaped pulling two young black bear cubs from a tree to take a selfie at an Asheville apartment complex April 16, officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have decided not to press charges, drawing surprise and criticism from wildlife advocates.
Wildlife commission officers began investigating after they were contacted by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office regarding what the commission later called “harassment of black bear cubs” at Berrington Village Apartments. When staff arrived on scene, they were told “both cubs had escaped after a cub bit one of the people,” according to previous news release.
“Officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have investigated this incident, and, while dangerous and unfortunate, it appears to be an isolated event,” said commission spokesperson Failey Mahlum.
“It is unlawful in NC to capture and keep black bears. However, the bear cubs were immediately released, and officers have determined there will be no charges filed.”
Mahlum confirmed that the investigation into the incident is now closed.
Ashely Hobbs, a special projects biologist with NCWRC, previously told the Citizen Times that when she arrived at the apartment complex, one bear cub was wet, cold and alone, sitting in a retention pond.
Hobbs said it must have been there for a while and was “obviously a bit traumatized.” In the later-released news alert April 18, Hobbs said the cub was “favoring one of its front paws.”
Previous reporting: Video, witness: Asheville apartment residents pulled black bear cubs from tree for selfie
More: Fines levied for visitors feeding bear on Blue Ridge Parkway? When will road reopen?
NC Humane Society director encouraged penalties, ‘surprised’ there’s none
Gail Thomssen, the North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, called this incident a “startling and serious reminder of the severe lack of awareness, caution and respect for wildlife that some can exhibit when chasing opportunities to interact, handle and pose for photos with wild animals.”
Thomssen said it was part of a “shockingly irresponsible” trend of people interacting with wildlife. “It is cruel to the animals and puts the public in harm’s way.”
While in an initial statement Thomssen “encouraged penalties,: when asked for her reaction to the commission’s decision not to press charges, she said the Humane Society was “surprised that no charges were filed since it is illegal to capture and keep black bears in North Carolina,” adding that she believed the wildlife commission “conducted a thorough investigation.”
“We do hope at the very least, that the critical attention this sad situation is receiving, that the public can reflect on what happened to these animals and hopefully have more respect and leave wildlife alone,” Thomssen said.
North Carolina General Statute 113‑294 (c1) states that “any person who unlawfully takes, possesses, transports, sells, possesses for sale, or buys any bear or bear part is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor,” punishable by a fine of at least $2,000.
The law does not stipulate how long a person must be in possession of a bear to be in violation of the statute.
“The commission’s tired argument that the perpetrators quickly released the cubs is yet another feeble excuse for the commission’s refusal to enforce North Carolina’s wildlife laws that are already wholly inadequate, even if the commission enforced them,” Diana Starr, an Asheville multispecies geographer and bear advocate, told the Citizen Times April 19.
“These ‘abuse for likes’ cases must be vigorously prosecuted to deter other abusers and are why wildlife harassment and abuse laws must be strengthened and enforced,” Starr said.
More: ‘Shocked’ Blue Ridge Parkway traveler recounts seeing visitors ‘inches’ from black bear
What did the video show? Where are the bear cubs now?
The video, obtained by the Citizen Times, shows a group of people trying to grab the black bear cubs from a tree branch extending over a short fence to the apartment complex’s property. One woman snatches a cub, and after screaming in excitement, she poses for a picture with the bear.
The cub then drops to the ground and runs along the inside of the fence, attempting to climb the fence a couple of times while the women chases after it.
“I tried telling them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen so I thought recording it might help get justice for the sweet bear cub,” said Rachel Staudt, a resident of the apartment complex who took the video.
Mahlum said wildlife officers and biologists have spoken with the individuals involved about the importance of leaving bear cubs alone.
“We hope the media attention this incident has received will re-emphasize the importance of following the BearWise® Basics and to leave wild animals alone,” Mahlum said.
The cub rescued from the retention pond remains at the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in Candler, a licensed orphaned bear cub rehabilitation facility, according to Mahlum.
“She appears to be in stable condition and has been placed with another orphaned cub rescued earlier this year,” Mahlum said. “The second cub in the video has not been located, but we continue to monitor the area for signs of it or the mother bear.”
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
-
New York49 minutes agoInside the NYC Power Stations That Keep Trains Moving — or Bring Them to a Halt
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoDetroit Pistons already facing must-win Game 2 vs Orlando Magic
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoGiants Head Home to San Francisco After Shutout Loss
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoNew video of Lake Dallas explosion draws focus on order decades ago to remove old plastic pipes
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago
Ty Simpson considered staying in college for $6.5 million offer from Miami
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoTools for Your To Do List with Spot and Gemini Robotics | Boston Dynamics
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver beekeeper says swarm season came a month early this year thanks to warm weather
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoHere, Kitty, Kitty: Scenes from POP Cats Seattle 2026
