More NC bears leave woods to find food

ASHEVILLE — A record bear population in the North Carolina mountains has led more of the beasts to look for food near areas where humans work and live.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Tuesday that a black bear mauled a llama used to guard sheep at a Buncombe County farm. The llama had to be euthanized because its injuries were severe.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Mike Carraway said an abundance of acorns, grapes and other food sources have built bear populations to a record 10,000 in the mountains this year.

Carraway said while most bears feed on acorns and other nuts, they are opportunistic and will eat garbage and seeds from bird feeders around homes. They also sometimes kill and eat livestock.

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