Michigan rescues black bear whose head was stuck in plastic lid for 2 years

• ​​​​​​A young black bear in Montmorency County was freed from a plastic lid stuck around its neck for two years
• The lid is similar to those used to cover bait barrels, though the container opening did not meet legal standards 
• A Hillman resident’s trail camera photo helped the DNR locate and free the bear

For two years, a young black bear roamed Montmorency County with a plastic lid clamped around its neck, until state wildlife experts finally intervened.

A Hillman resident captured new trail camera photos of the bear in late May and contacted the Department of Natural Resources. On June 2, state wildlife biologists freed the bear, which had been living with the lid around its neck since it was first spotted as a cub in 2023. 

The blue lid matches those used to cover large 55-gallon barrels, which are popular among hunters and rural landowners to hold substances known to attract bears, such as grain or feed, according to the DNR.

Though Michigan permits bear baiting, the law limits the use of bait containers to private land and requires that any openings be either under 1 inch or over 22 inches wide.

It isn’t clear where or how the male bear got its head stuck in the lid but the opening does not comply with the state’s bear baiting laws.

“Container openings of a certain size can result in bears and other wildlife getting their heads or other body parts stuck in them, leading to injury or death,” said Cody Norton, the Department of Natural Resources’ bear, furbearer and small game specialist, in a statement. 

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• Michigan bears on the move, popping up in Gaylord, Traverse City, Glen Arbor 
• Michigan's black bear population is booming

The area where the 110-pound black bear was found has become more populated with bears over the last decade. In fact, the bear population in the northern Lower Peninsula has increased at a faster rate than in the UP.

Between 2012 and 2022, the black bear population in the northern Lower Peninsula increased 55%. In that same time frame, the UP only saw a 21% increase. 

Michigan is home to about 13,000 black bears. The state began to see a population increase after the DNR started limiting bear hunting licenses. 

Keeping bears, humans safe

The DNR says landowners can do their part to protect bears by “recycling or crushing containers such as empty cheeseball tubs.” It also suggests using the following tips from Bearwise, a national education and outreach program: 

• Never feed or approach bears
• Secure food, garbage and recycling
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active
• Never leave pet food outdoors
• Clean and store grills, smokers
• Alert neighbors to bear activity