Black bear spotted in southwest Ohio

Montgomery County expert offers advice on potential encounters.

A black bear that officials believe swam across the Ohio River from Kentucky to search for a mate has touched off a frenzy of sightings in the southwest part of the state.

Officials in Clermont County said Tuesday they have cornered the bear they have been tracking since Friday.

The bear was spotted near a retirement living community Tuesday afternoon. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the bear was getting into people’s garbage cans and was often mistaken for a large dog.

The bear is about two years old, and officials do not consider it to be a threat. Ohio wildlife officer Gus Kiebel said they are trying to keep the bear safe and transport it to a more rural area.

Bears are not a common sight in Clermont County, but searching for a mate is normal.

Five River Metro Parks Conservation Manager Michael Enright said it is not uncommon behavior for bears.

“Young male bears typically go out and find their own territory,” he said, “They can range over hundreds of miles.”

Enright said this is the time of year when 2-year-old male bears are most likely to leave home.

According to Enright, the bear population in the south is expanding. That makes it difficult for young male bears to establish territories because much of that space is already occupied by older male bears.

A bear traveled to Montgomery County in the fall of 2011. According to Enright, it was the first bear in Montgomery County in about 150 years. The bear stayed for about a year before it returned south to continue searching for a mate. It did not harm anyone or cause any disturbances while it was here.

Officials are currently investigating reports of a bear in Twin Creeks Metro Park.

Though bears can be intimidating, Enright said bears are not a threat to humans as long as people keep them away from food and garbage.

Enright said, “If you come across a bear, be quiet, slowly back away, don’t run, and the bear will leave you alone.”

About the Author