Bear Sighting Uncommon for Southeast Michigan

Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) say of a black bear sighting Saturday at near Dexter could have been sheer happenstance.

"If the claims are credible, now is the time when young male bears are up and moving around,” said Tim Payne, southeast wildlife supervisor for the MDNRE.

He said black bear sightings typically happen in southern Michigan in the spring, when bears are beginning to emerge from their winter hibernation.

Adam Bump, a bear specialist with the MDNRE, said most likely the bear was a young male that happened to travel too far south.

“Bears, particularly young males, sometimes end up in urban areas as they learn about their habitat,” he said.

Bump said about 11,000 adult black bears live in Michigan and are primarily located north of Muskegon.

Payne said that as of Monday afternoon, the department has not received any further reports of a bear sighting in the area.

"Typically, we will leave the bears alone once we're notified," he said. "We'll monitor it and make sure it stays out of trouble."

Payne said researchers periodically will trap a bear and tag it in order to study its movements through the state.

Because the sightings have yet to be confirmed by park staff, the Hudson Mills Park is operating as usual, said Barbara Savery, park operations administrator.