SAGINAW COUNTY (WWJ) - Traffic was disrupted for several hours on Monday in Saginaw County after a black bear was spooked up a tree, prompting local police and wildlife officials to help get it down.
The bear was spotted roaming through the Village of Merrill in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Mid-Michigan around 2 p.m. on August 28. Officials believe it is the same bear that was seen back on Aug. 7 on the Swan Valley Golf Course in Thomas Township.
Monday's sighting caught the attention of the Richland Township Police Department. Police Chief Jack Doyle told MLive that officers responded to an area near the U.S. Post Office off 242 S. Midland St. and the Merrill Congregational Christian Church at 245 S. Midland St. only to discover residents had chased the bear into a tree.
The bear, affectionately dubbed 'Boo Boo' by the locals, stayed high on its perch for several hours until officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources were notified.
Boo Boo briefly came down to the ground before it scaled another tree, Doyle added.
All the commotion appeared to spook the bear, the chief said, and they were forced to close down the 200 block of South Midland Street to keep traffic and gawkers away.
"We shut it down because people wouldn't stay away," Doyle told MLive. "We were trying to calm the bear so it would come down. People kept driving by and walking over."
It wasn't until 7:30 p.m., five hours after the bear was first reported, that it eventually left the tree. DNR officers made enough noise to run the animal out of town, Doyle added.
Photos of the bear were shared on social media by nearby Marion Springs resident, Seth Goschka, who said he came up with the nickname "Boo Boo," the cartoon character that appears as a constant companion to Yogi Bear on "The Yogi Bear Show."
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Goschka told Mlive that this particular bear was first reported in the area back on Independence Day -- he's taken it upon himself to keep tabs on Boo Boo ever since.
"Pretty much anytime it was seen, someone would contact me with info," he said. "I'd post it (online). People seem to like to see where it's at."
DNR Wildlife Biologist Cameron Dole told Mlive that black bear sightings in Mid-Michigan aren't rare, but there have been more of of them in recent years -- even though the animals don't tend to stay around for long.
He estimates about 10 bears are roaming the area and some of them could be the same animal, adding that it's hard to differentiate between them.
According to the DNR, black bears have ravenous appetites and will travel great distances to find food -- and sometimes they come searching for it right in our own backyards.
"Black bears are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, eating both plant and animal matter," the DNR said. "Bears will eat tender vegetation, nuts, berries, and insects. Problems occur when bears attempt to feed on human foods, garbage, pet foods, or birdseed."
Black bears typically display a fear of humans and will leave the area if they encounter you, which is "critical" for the animal's safety -- as well as yours.
"Remember, bears, like any wild animal, can act unpredictably and should be treated with respect and enjoyed from a distance," DNR officials stated. "Whether you welcome the black bear or not, all of us that live and recreate in bear range share the responsibility of avoiding activities that attract bears and create the potential for bear problems."
If you encounter a bear who stands their ground, DNR officiasl remind Michiganders of being "SMART" and adhere to the following tips:
• S – Stand your ground. DO NOT run or play dead.
• M – Make loud noises and back away slowly.
• A – Always provide a clear, unobstructed escape route for the bear.
• R – Rarely to bears attack, if they do, fight back.
• T – Treat bears with respect and observe them from a distance.
Ways to keep your home safe and your property bear-proof include:
• Removing potential food sources, like bird feeders, from your yard. Do not feed the birds in the spring, summer and fall, when bears are most active.
• Keeping pet food inside or in a secure area.
• Keeping garbage and odor at a minimum by removing trash often and cleaning container with disinfectant.
• Keeping garbage in a secured area or in a secured container with a metal, lockable lid until disposal.
• Keeping grills and picnic tables clean.
• Keeping Apiaries (bee hives) fruit trees, and gardens can be protected from bears by electric fencing
"Anyone who is experiencing problems with bears should contact the nearest DNR office and speak with a wildlife biologist or technician for further assistance," the DNR added.
Black bears can only be killed by a licensed hunter or when human life is in danger
Learn more about black bears by visiting Michigan.gov/Bear.
