ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Wildlife Commission will begin a study next year of black bears in Asheville that includes tagging the animals.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reportedthat the Urban/Suburban Bear Study that begins in the spring will be the first of its kind in the state.

The five-year study will include putting tracking collars on 40 bears and monitoring their movement. Biologist Colleen Olfenbuttel says that bear research in North Carolina has taken place for the most part in rural areas so this project will be the first to study bears in urban areas.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, www.citizen-times.com