Bear in Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Had to Be Tranquilized

Another spring bear sighting occurred in a Mount Pleasant neighborhood, prompting wildlife officials to tranquilize the animal and relocate it outside the city limits.

Spring 2026 Brings Growing Number of Bear Encounters in Southern Lower Michigan

Bear sightings across the southern Lower Peninsula have become a near-weekly occurrence this spring, with several encounters reported in densely populated areas. Wildlife experts say the trend is linked to a growing black bear population, which has increased by an estimated 55% to 70% over the past decade. As bear numbers continue to rise, the animals are expanding their range and naturally dispersing farther into central and southern Michigan.

Black bear sightings have continued to rise across Michigan's southern Lower Peninsula this spring, reflecting the species' gradual expansion into more populated areas. In 2026, bears have been reported in Flat Rock, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Saginaw, communities where sightings have historically been rare. The trend was further highlighted over the weekend when a black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle in Coopersville, adding to a growing list of bear-related incidents across the region.

Read More: Vehicle Collision Highlights Growing Bear Presence in Michigan

On Tuesday morning, Mount Pleasant residents woke to an unusual sight: a black bear sleeping in a tree within a residential neighborhood well inside the city limits.

Bear on the Move Tranquilized in Mount Pleasant

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Facebook page, a 150-pound black bear paid a visit to a Mount Pleasant neighborhood. The DNR worked with Mount Pleasant police, firefighters, and city workers to safely remove the young male from a tree within the city limits.

In order to protect people, pets, property, and the bear itself, the animal was tranquilized where it fell unharmed from an 18-foot drop onto a pole vault pad. The DNR gave the bear a medical examination and determined the bear was in excellent health.

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The bear was then taken to the Houghton Lake area, where it was released back into the wild.

👇BELOW: What black bears want, and how to deter them👇