The second bear sighting in a week, the approximately 2-year-old cub then took an evening siesta in the wooded area behind Interstate Storage around The Store Next Store, said Roanoke Rapids Police Department Deputy Chief Andy Jackson after efforts were renewed this morning to drive the animal back to the river.

“We utilized sirens and cars to change his direction,” Jackson said this morning.

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Sometime this morning, the bear left the area around Fifth Street and wandered to the area of Seventh Street and Park Avenue, climbing up a tree. Sightings of the cub around the area of the high school and Manning elementary brought students inside, system spokesman Les Atkins said.

The bear lingered in the tree as the police department waited for Wildlife to arrive.

Sergeant Dustin Durham advised the patrol cars and people watching from a distance to back off.

His advice worked as the bear finally made his way down as Durham steered him in the direction of River Road.

The bear heeded for the most part, running behind houses adjacent to River Road and then veering to Canal Walk where he could be seen in tall grass before heading into the wood line.

“This time of year they're pushing their cubs out,” Durham said while the bear was still in the tree. “They're pushing their cubs away.”

It is also breeding season, Durham said.

The bear sightings will most likely continue through mating season. “Not too long ago they had the same thing at Elon College. They're trying find food, dog food, tipped over trash cans.”

The bear's aim was to get back to the woods. “Trust me, it didn't want to be in Roanoke Rapids.”

Jackson said the same. “This time of year they're coming out of hibernation. Their moms are splitting with their cubs. We encourage people not to feed them. There's quite a few in the area.”