MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. - A black bear has been spotted roaming around Muskegon County.
Muskegon County dispatchers said they have received reports of a black bear on the lakeshore. The last sighting that was reported to police was on Friday, June 15.
Photos of the bear are also showing up near Whitehall. The Whitehall Police Department said that it was not spotted within city limits, but they said appears to be on the south and east side of the city.
According to the DNR, black bears are the only species of bear found in Michigan. The black bear population in the Lower Peninsula has increased 47% since 2000 to 2,112 bears.
Typically, bears will run or walk away from humans if they notice them. The DNR says that fatal black bear attacks are very rare, and they offer these tips for avoiding conflicts with bears:
- Never intentionally feed bears
- Remove potential food sources, like bird feeders, from your yard
- Keep pet food inside or in a secured area
- Keep garbage and odor at a minimum by removing trash often
- Keep garbage in a secured area or in a secured container with a metal, lockable lid until it is picked up or taken away
- Keep grills and picnic tables clean
- Bee hives, fruit trees and gardens can be protected from bears by electric fencing
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