News Summary
Officials in North Augusta, SC are alarmed by an increasing number of black bear sightings, with recent encounters prompting public safety alerts. The rise in sightings, attributed to urban development, has led to over 500 reports in the region this year alone. Experts urge residents to maintain distance and take precautions to coexist safely with these animals. With a significant number of bear-related vehicle collisions already reported, public education on safety measures is crucial to ensure the safety of both humans and bears.
North Augusta, SC – Officials are becoming increasingly concerned as black bear sightings rise in South Carolina and Georgia, following several recent encounters in and around North Augusta. On Wednesday, a black bear was spotted on Austin Graybill Road, sparking multiple calls to the North Augusta Department of Public Safety. However, despite a search, authorities were unable to locate the animal. Earlier in the week, deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to another sighting on Stevens Creek Road at Clausen Road, where a bear was temporarily relocated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a less populated area. It remains unclear if this bear is connected to the one reported in North Augusta.
Officials attribute the surge in human-bear interactions to expanding urban development and population growth in South Carolina. The number of reported black bear encounters has dramatically increased since 2004, jumping from approximately 200 sightings that year to over 500 reported encounters in 2024. Urban areas, particularly Greenville, have seen a notable uptick in these sightings, including neighborhoods like Landrum, Campobello, Green Valley, and Gower.
Wildlife biologist Tammy Waldrop highlighted that bears can now be found in nearly all urban settings in the Upstate of South Carolina, stressing the importance of educating the public on how to coexist with bears. The year 2024 has already recorded 420 encounters in the mountain region and 112 on the coast. Most of these interactions, approximately 33%, involved bears rummaging through trash, while another 29% centered on bears accessing birdfeeders. Although bear encounters may seem alarming, only 6% posed any public safety risk, and a mere 2% involved home invasions.
There has also been a marked increase in bear-related vehicle collisions, with 69 bears reported killed on South Carolina highways in 2024, the highest number since 2004. Black bears, generally smaller and less aggressive than their grizzly counterparts, have been part of South Carolina’s wildlife for many years. The largest black bear recorded in the state weighed in at 609 pounds. Male bears typically have a range of 18 to 160 square miles, while females tend to roam between 6 to 19 miles, depending on the availability of food and shelter.
In light of these rising encounters, residents are urged to maintain a safe distance from bears. They should create loud noises to deter them and take necessary precautions by removing bird feeders and securing trash. It is also illegal to feed bears in South Carolina, as it can cause them to become too accustomed to human presence. Experts recommend employing methods like electric fencing and eliminating food sources to minimize bear interactions, especially on farms.
In Georgia, particularly in Grady County, the incidence of black bear sightings is also increasing, prompting warnings for farmers to remain vigilant, particularly as reports of cubs have emerged. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is actively promoting public awareness regarding bear habitats and safety through educational initiatives like BearWise.
Both states continue to navigate the challenges posed by the growing bear population, placing an emphasis on education and safety measures to ensure that humans and bears can coexist peacefully and safely in their shared environments.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Human Black Bear Encounters
- Wikipedia: Black Bear
- WALB: Farmer Reacts to Black Bear Sighting
- Google Search: Black Bear Sightings South Carolina
- WFXG: There Was a Bear in Aiken
- Google Scholar: Human Bear Interactions
- Grice Connect: Be BearWise
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black Bear Population
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
