DNR Responds To Bear Cub In Dog Cage Claim

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently investigated a tip about an alleged cub being kept in a portable dog cage.

One of the surest ways to provoke a bear attack is by attempting to capture a bear cub in the presence of its mother. Black bears avoid humans at all costs, but there are times when two meet in nature, and if it happens to be a mother and her cubs, look out.

Why It's Important To Stay Away From Bear Cubs

Northern Michigan is home to numerous black bears, as well as several national parks and hundreds of campgrounds, creating ample opportunities for encounters between humans and bears.

It is essential to stay away from bear cubs in Michigan, as well as in any state where bears are present. This is to protect both you and the cubs, as approaching them can put you in danger from a protective mother bear and cause stress for the cubs. Giving bears, especially mothers with cubs, plenty of space is the best way to prevent dangerous encounters and help preserve their natural fear of humans, which is essential for both their well-being and public safety.

Read More: Buck Rescued After Getting Tangled in Michigan Hammock

In Michigan, it is illegal for a private citizen to own or possess a bear, including a bear cub.

DNR Investigates Report of Bear Cub Allegedly in Dog Cage

According to MLive, DNR officers in northern Michigan were notified by a concerned citizen about a bear cub that may have been taken away from its mom and was being kept in a portable dog cage.

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The DNR sent a conservation officer to investigate the alleged bear cub being held captive at the address the citizen directed them to, and they did find the portable dog cage. The officer did not find a bear cub, but what he did find was a black dog that the owner was training for future police work.

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