LOUDONVILLE — One unexpected visitor has people checking trail cameras, Ring ing doorbells and approaching hiking plans with more caution.
The recent black bear sightings at Mohican State Park left plenty of people talking, but wildlife officials say it’s likely just passing through the region.
The sightings came as a welcome sign to many visitors, with the park noting the presence of bears indicates local forests are healthy enough to support animals at the top of the food chain.
Abe Helmstetter, a Monroeville resident, said he was walking the trail with a couple of friends when they noticed the bear.
“(It) was pretty neat to see something like that in its natural habitat,” Helmstetter added. “It was pretty exciting because I don’t know if I’ll ever see anything like that again.”
Ohio Division of Wildlife wildlife biologist Katie Dennison said they believe the same bear accounted for all three Mohican sightings.
The bear has a distinctive white blaze on its chest, a marking wildlife officials have used to track its movements. Dennison said the same bear has moved through several counties in east-central Ohio during the spring and summer.
Tracking the bear’s movement across Ohio
“This appears to be a young bear passing through the area,” Dennison said.
Wildlife officials distinguish between a transient bear and one establishing a home range by tracking sighting patterns. A resident bear typically produces consistent sightings over months or years, while a traveling bear may generate several reports in a short period before moving.
While the Mohican region could potentially support a resident bear population, Dennison said it remains relatively far from Ohio’s known resident bear population in northeast Ohio. As a result, it may be some time before resident bears become established in north central Ohio.
Recent sightings across the region, including multiple reports of a black bear in Bellville in late June, highlight the increasing presence of these animals in the area.
Dennison said bear sightings have been increasing throughout eastern Ohio, and they expect the trend to continue as black bear populations expand within the state.
According to the ODNR, black bear sightings are most common from late May through early July due to mating season. During this time, young male bears often leave their mothers and may wander more frequently than females.
As sightings become more common, wildlife officials say knowing how to respond is increasingly important.
Officials are reminding residents and visitors to take precautions when enjoying the outdoors. Hikers who encounter a bear should not run, but instead slowly back away. If the bear approaches, Dennison said to make yourself appear larger by waving your arms and yelling.
Campers should store food and scented items in approved bear-resistant containers, locked vehicles or properly suspended locations to avoid attracting bears and encouraging unwanted behavior.
Homeowners who spot a bear should remain indoors while the animal is present and remove attractants afterward, including bird feeders, trash and pet food.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife encourages visitors who encounter a black bear to report sightings through its wildlife reporting system.