Authorities are investigating a reported black bear sighting in a Downriver community.
Rockwood police said the animal was seen along Woodruff Road, between Olmstead Road and Interstate 75, at the border of Rockwood and Flat Rock. Police said video of the encounter has been determined to not be AI-generated.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is investigating the sighting, police said.
What to do if you see a bear
According to the DNR, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to around 10,350 bears, based on a 2024 survey, while the Lower Peninsula has around 2,100. Most of those are in the northern part of Lower Michigan, but the animal has been making its way south into more urban areas.
Bears sometimes will leave their dens to walk around, stretch their legs or search for a meal. They can smell food up to a mile away and can remember locations where they have food for years, the DNR said.
The DNR advises Michiganians to store anything that could attract bears “out of sight, smell and reach.” This can include bird feeders, pet food and grills, DNR said.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Black bear caught on camera Downriver; how to avoid an encounter
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
