For the first time in more than 20 years, a black bear has been spotted in Licking County, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) confirmed in a recent Facebook post.
“It’s most likely a young male wandering long distances looking for females,” ODNR wrote.
The black bear was spotted in a field near Pataskala, about 20 miles east of Columbus, on June 10, WBNS TV-10 reports. The last bear sighting in Licking County was in 2003. It’s the sixth bear sighting in the county since 1993.
Black bears were considered gone from Ohio by the 1850s, per ODNR, due to deforestation and hunting by Ohio settlers. However, they have been spotted wandering through the state as populations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia grow, according to the Ohio Black Bear Monitoring Report from November 2023. And they are making a small comeback, with an estimated in-state population between 50 and 100.
With the most recent sighting, ODNR is offering some tips on keeping yourself as well as your house and yard safe from bears. Here’s what to know.
Black bears in Ohio
Black bears inhabited Ohio before settlers came and drove them off, per ODNR. Their name can be misleading, because “black” bears can be black, chocolate brown, cinnamon brown, blue-black, and even white.
An adult can weigh anywhere between 150 and 700 pounds. Males average 300 pounds while females are smaller, averaging around 175. Males, when standing upright, measure between five and six feet tall. And again, females are smaller, measuring four to five feet.
Adult males have a home range of 100 to 120 square miles in upland hardwood habitats, while females’ home range can cover 24 to 50 square miles. Movements of 125 miles from a denning site have been documented.
Bears are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods; grasses, berries, carrion and insects are typical foods. Bears will also raid crops, if available.
How to protect your house, backyard from black bears
Black bears can cause significant damage in search of an easy meal. Here’s how you can protect your backyard if one is in your area, per ODNR:
What to do if you see a black bear
Black bear attacks are rare; they are usually fearful of people. As long as they are given space and not cornered, bears do not attack or kill children or pets. The bears are generally not aggressive and prefer to flee if they are aware of your presence.
So if you see a black bear, remain calm. If it hasn’t noticed you, back away slowly and leave the area. If it is aware of you, avoid direct eye contact and give it an easy escape route. Don’t run away or climb a tree, which may provoke a chase.
ODNR recommends remembering this using the acronym AWARE:
Black bear sightings in Ohio
Ohio reported 285 black bear sightings in 52 counties in 2022, 161 of which were confirmed based on the presence of evidence such as photos or tracks, per ODNR. Sightings occur throughout the year but are most common in late May through early July.
In 2022, black bears were spotted near Akron in Northeast Ohio, one in Hudson and another in Copley and Bath townships. In 2023, a black bear was spotted near Obitz, south of Columbus. ODNR has records of bear sightings in Ohio dating to the 1930s.
Spot a bear in the wild? The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife wants to know
Did you see a bear? The ODNR Division of Wildlife wants to know. Report sightings online at wildohio.gov or the Wildlife Species Sighting Report. You can also contact your local county wildlife officer or regional District Wildlife Office.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: First black bear in 20 years spotted near Ohio city. Here’s where and how to stay safe
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
