ROCKWOOD, Mich. (WWJ) -- A black bear has been spotted in southeastern Wayne County, according to police, who are warning the public to keep their distance.
According to the Rockwood Police Department, the bear was recently seen in the area of Woodruff Rd., between Olmstead and I-75.
Police said Tuesday that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been notified and is currently investigating the situation.
The Rockwood PD wrote in a social media post: "If you see the bear, please do not approach or attempt to interact with it. Move to a safe location and contact the Police Department immediately. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our community safe."
Rockwood is a suburb located roughly 25 to 30 miles south of downtown Detroit, in the area known as "Downriver."
Responding to questions from the public on the post, the Rockwood PD stressed that the bear is real, it was caught on video, and that the video was "confirmed not to be AI." (Police noted that a 'What to do if you encounter a black bear in the city" graphic shared by the department is AI-generated).
Police did not release any photos or video of the bear, but said that there is some footage out there.
According to the DNR, black bears can be found in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
While black bear sightings in Metro Detroit are rare, the DNR has noted that bears have been gradually expanding their territory southward in Michigan over the last two decades.
Speaking to WWJ's Amanda Forrester, Taylor Peltier — a Utah State University PhD student involved in a bear study in partnership with the DNR — said any bear seen in our area is probably just passing through.
"It's fairly common for bears to be moving south; it's fairly uncommon for bears to be seen in the Metro Detroit area," Peltier said. "And the bears that are being seen at the southern range boundary are likely young bears, probably young male bears that are leaving their mother for the first time and are dispersing looking for food and mates.
"And so they might not stay there," she said, "and it might just be a sighting. We'll kind of have to see how it goes with these bears moving south."
If you do encounter a bear, the DNR says you should stand your ground, and do not run or play dead. Make loud noises and back away slowly, while always providing a clear, unobstructed escape route for the bear.
Rarely do bears attack people, the DNR says, but if they do you should fight back.
To avoid drawing bears to your property, the DNR urges Michiganders to put away their wild bird feeders during the spring and summer, secure trash bins and dumpsters, and bring any outdoor pet food inside.
Bear sightings within the city should be reported to local police.
