A bear warning has been issued in Michigan as they have been spotted moving south from the state’s Upper Peninsula down to the Lower, wildlife managers from the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have said.
Why It Matters
Black bear numbers are thriving in the United States, and incidences of human interactions with the creatures have been reported to be increasing in 18 states. According to the World Population Review, there are currently around 12,000 black bears in Michigan, and between 300,000 and 600,000 in the United States as a whole.
What To Know
Living near black bears is a part of normal life for residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but now bears are moving into the south and west, the DNR said in a press release.
The DNR press release advises that Michigan residents learn how to coexist with the bears.
DNR officials reportedly get around 285 complaints about bears every year, and received 303 in 2024. The department regulates bear hunting seasons every fall to keep populations sustainable and managed.
So, how can you stay safe around bears? The online resource Bear Wise has shared the following key safety tips. These are, however, not guarantees and it is best to avoid any interactions with the animals at all. If you do see a bear approaching:
- Stand your ground
- Yell, “Hey bear” loudly”
- Only back away when the bear stops its approach
- Make yourself look bigger, either by raising your arms and jacket or standing on something, or both
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Remain calm
- Always provide a clear escape route for the bear
- Do not play dead
- If necessary, fight back with anything you have at hand
Black bears prefer to avoid people, but ultimately they are wild animals and they may well feel the need to defend themselves if they feel surprised or threatened.
In order to avoid conflicts with black bears, which can exceed 600 pounds and stand at 7 feet tall when upright, it is important to remove things like food, garbage and bird feeders that may attract them.
What People Are Saying
Stephen Griffith, a DNR biologist for the Traverse City area said in the press release: “If a bear is coming by every day, there’s a problem. You need to fix the problem. Bears have a very, very good memory.”
Carl Lackey of the International Association for Bear Research and Management previously told Newsweek that, “The conservation success of the American black bear has put more black bears on the landscape…so, more people and more bears kind of equals more human-bear conflicts.”
“As the bear population expands, they’re looking for places to go,” Lackey said. “And bears are very adaptable, very opportunistic. They adapt very well to making a living in and amongst human development.”
What’s Next
If you live in a bear area, it’s a good idea to take precautions and always pay attention to your surroundings.
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