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The Daily Tar Heel

Bear roaming in Chapel Hill, police say

A black bear has been seen roaming in Chapel Hill, including near a local elementary school, Chapel Hill police said.

Lt. Kevin Gunter, spokesman for Chapel Hill police, said the bear was first seen on the Finley Golf Course at about 10 a.m. and reported to the Durham Police Department. University campus police were then contacted.

The bear then traveled to an area behind Glennwood Elementary School, he said. Police contacted the school and warned officials of the bear.

Gunter said the police department has received three calls about the bear, the latest coming at around 12:30 p.m.

Police contacted officials at the North Carolina Wildlife Department, who instructed them not to approach the animal unless it was threatening human life, he said.

“(The bear) appeared to not be causing any threats” he said. “We just wanted to make sure it didn’t cause any problems.”

Gunter said the bear was last spotted entering the woods near Oteys Road.

He said this type of event is very rare.

“This is the first time I can recall getting a bear call.”

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