State wildlife biologists believe the first wild black bear confirmed in Indiana since the 1870s continues to wander around the state line with Michigan.
The Department of Natural Resources said Monday evidence found over the weekend shows that the bear traveled from northern Indiana's St. Joseph County into a rural area of neighboring LaPorte County near Michigan City.
The Michigan City Police Department posted an alert to Facebook after a confirmed sighting Near US Hwy 20 and Meer Road on June 15.
Biologists believe the young male bear walked into the area from Michigan, which has an estimated black bear population topping 15,000. Black bears are listed as an exotic mammal and are protected under Indiana law. Wildlife officials say black bears are typically shy and tend to avoid humans.
Although there have been occasional unconfirmed reports of bears in Indiana, the DNR said the St. Joseph County bear was Indiana's first verified presence of a wild black bear since 1871. In that case, the bear was forced south from Michigan to escape a series of forest fires, the agency said.
When settlers began arriving in the 1700s in what is now Indiana, black bears were found throughout the region, but their populations were soon decimated by habitat loss and hunting.
The DNR encourages the public to report sightings of the bear and email photos of the animal to dfwinput@dnr.IN.gov. They can also call 812-334-1137 to make reports.
