Rare Black Bear Killed by Vehicle Near Coopersville

Black bear sightings across parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula have increased this spring. Unfortunately, one of the bears spotted over the weekend was struck and killed by a vehicle.

Annual Number of Black Bears Killed in Vehicle Collisions Across Michigan

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Michigan's black bear population has grown in recent years, thanks in part to management efforts by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The agency regulates bear numbers by issuing a limited number of hunting permits based on population estimates within designated hunting areas.

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No matter how carefully the DNR manages populations of deer, elk, moose, and black bears, some animals are still struck and killed while crossing roads throughout the state.

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Although Michigan does not maintain a real-time statewide database for bear-vehicle collisions, historical records and wildlife incident reports indicate that about 60 black bears are hit by vehicles across the state each year.

Read More: DNR Confirms Rare Southeast Michigan Bear Sighting

Black Bear Hit and Killed By Vehicle in Coopersville

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Black bear sightings have increased across the southern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula this spring. In 2026, bears have been reported in Flat Rock, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Saginaw, and Mount Pleasant, highlighting the species' growing presence in areas where sightings have traditionally been less common.

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Black bears have also been spotted in Hillsdale, Jackson, Livingston, Clinton, Barry, and Ingham counties, further illustrating the growing number of sightings across southern Michigan.

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According to WZZM, a black bear was spotted over the weekend near 68th Avenue S and O’Malley Drive in Coopersville around 3 p.m. After police and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources were alerted to multiple sightings in the area, the bear was later struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a nearby highway.

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