BLADENSBURG — For the first time since 2021, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources‘ Knox County office has confirmed the spotting of a black bear in the wild.
The Knox County Natural Resources Area Facebook page posted the first recording of the furry traveler on Dec. 13, documenting the bear in the Bladensburg, Walhonding and Zuck area.
“The area is unusual for a black bear to be spotted, especially this time of year,” ODNR Wildlife Management Supervisor Gary Comer said.
“Typically, transient young males would have already left for more suitable territory and females generally stay close to the northeastern part of the state.”
Comer said folks spotted a black bear in Coshocton County recently, and it is possible that pressure caused the same bear to roam into Knox County.
“Deer season is unlikely to play much of a role, but stressors caused by human activity can pressure a bear from where it is living,” Comer added.
A few days later, a second trail cam caught the bear puzzling through terrain before disappearing into the night, much to the joy and surprise of those recording the animal.
The Knox County Natural Resources Area Facebook page posted a second clip on Dec. 17, check it out here.
ODNR’s possible next course of action and safety tips
After ODNR confirmed both recordings, wildlife officials observed fresh tracks, a possible bedding location and attempted to collect hair samples to identify the bear’s sex.
“The purpose for this investigation was to collect hair from one of the fences the bear crossed so that we could provide it to the University of Dayton for DNA sequencing to determine if it was a male or female,” Comer said.
“Females are less nomadic than males and may be pregnant this time of year. Males, particularly, young males can travel hundreds of miles and are less likely to remain in the area for a prolonged period of time.”
Comer said officials have previously spotted bears in Northeast Ohio and trapped them, equipped them with a tracking collar and released them for further study.
“There is discussion that if the [Knox County] bear overwinters in the area that there would be interest in collaring it during the springtime — especially so if the individual is a sow,” Comer said.
While unusual and nerve-racking, for some, Comer said the bear is “no more of a safety concern in the area than deer or any other large animal.”
“Black bears prefer to avoid humans, therefore bear attacks are a rare occurrence. As long as the bear is given its space and not cornered, there is very little threat to public safety,” Comer continued.
Tips from ODNR should someone encounter a black bear:
- First thing to do is remain calm.
- “Black bears are non-aggressive and prefer to flee from the area as soon as they are aware of your presence,” Comer said. “If you encounter a bear, and it is not aware of your presence, simply back away from the area slowly.”
- “If the bear is aware of your presence and it does not leave the area, avoid direct eye contact with the animal, give the bear an easy escape route, and again, simply back slowly away from the area,” Comer said.
- Avoid sprinting away or climbing a tree, Comer said this may provoke the bear to chase.
To make things even easier, the wildlife management supervisor provided the acronym AWARE.
- Act calm
- Warn the bear you are near
- Allow space between you and the bear
- Raise your hands above your head to appear larger, clap your hands and shout if needed
- Exit the area