Alligator River Refuge Closes Roads After Bears Start Approaching Vehicles

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina has temporarily closed portions of Milltail Road and Long Curve Road after black bears started approaching vehicles with little fear of people. Refuge staff have seen or received reports of bears standing beside cars, climbing on vehicles, and acting far too comfortable around traffic.

That is not cute wildlife viewing. That is a public-safety problem and a bear problem created by bad human behavior. When bears learn that vehicles and people are nothing to fear, the risk goes up for everyone. The bear may get hit by a vehicle, somebody may get hurt, and wildlife staff may be forced into a hard decision that could have been avoided.

The closure took effect July 31. Milltail Road is closed between Sawyer Lake Road and Long Curve Road, and Long Curve Road is closed between Milltail Road and Grouse Road. Sawyer Lake Road’s Wildlife Drive remains open, along with Grouse Road, Bear Road, Borrow Pit Road, and southern portions of Long Curve Road.

USFWS is telling visitors to keep 100 yards from large wildlife, even from inside a vehicle. If a bear approaches, move away and re-establish distance. Do not stop in the road and create a bear jam. Do not feed wildlife. Feeding is illegal on the refuge, and it is one of the fastest ways to turn a wild bear into a dangerous bear.

Bears belong on that landscape. People who want to watch them need to act like adults. Give them room, keep traffic moving, and stop training wild animals to treat roads and cars like food sources. Good wildlife viewing should not cost a bear its fear of humans.