From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Following a public outcry and a petition with more than  21,000 signatures, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission announced on Sept. 18 that the adult female black bear it has been searching for — named “Dolly” (after Dolly Parton) by supporters — will not be euthanized if captured. 

Instead, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro will temporarily house the bear until a permanent home is found.

Following is the background of the incident:

• On Aug. 18, the bear entered a home on Spooks Branch Road in North Asheville through an unlocked door while her three cubs stayed on the front porch.

• A resident sustained non-life-threatening injuries while trying to get the bear out of the house.

• State wildlife officials reported that the bear had entered at least nine known homes and became food-conditioned due to accessible pet food and trash.

• The agency initially planned to humanely dispatch the animal due to human safety concerns, prompting a heavy community response and advocacy campaign led by local resident Hannah Furgiuele.

Following are the current status and next steps:

• The bear: Wildlife officials are still actively working to safely capture the adult female bear alive.

• The cubs: Two of the three cubs were captured earlier and successfully relocated to a remote, undeveloped area where they can adapt to the wild.

• Community Impact: The reversal has sparked broader discussions among Asheville residents and Asheville City Council regarding systemic solutions, such as mandatory bear-resistant trash containers and better public education on securing attractants.