Michigan Bear Freed: Years-Long Lid Rescue
- — A Michigan black bear is free after enduring two years with a plastic lid cinched around its neck.
- The saga began in 2023 when the bear, then a cub, was first observed on a trail camera in the northern lower Peninsula.
- The bear reappeared on camera in late May, still sporting the barrel lid.
A Michigan black bear is finally free after enduring two harrowing years with a plastic lid lodged around its neck. DNR officials successfully rescued the bear, removing the obstruction on June 3rd. The bear, first spotted as a cub in 2023, was tracked diligently by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife specialists were amazed by the bear’s resilience, despite the notable impediment. The incident sparks questions about the lid’s origin and the bear’s remarkable survival. Learn about the critical work of the DNR and the bear’s successful recovery. this story, reported by News Directory 3, highlights the importance of wildlife conservation. Discover what’s next for this resilient Michigan bear and the ongoing efforts to protect local bear populations.
Michigan Black Bear Freed After Two Years With Lid Around neck
Updated June 18, 2025
HILLMAN, Mich. — A Michigan black bear is free after enduring two years with a plastic lid cinched around its neck. State wildlife experts successfully trapped the animal and removed the obstruction on June 3.
The saga began in 2023 when the bear, then a cub, was first observed on a trail camera in the northern lower Peninsula. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) then began tracking the elusive animal.
The bear reappeared on camera in late May, still sporting the barrel lid. The DNR deployed a cylindrical trap, luring the bear inside. Officials then anesthetized the 110-pound (49.9-kilogram) animal and carefully cut away the plastic.
Cody Norton, a state bear specialist, expressed surprise at the bear’s condition. “It’s pretty incredible that the bear survived and was able to feed itself,” norton said. “The neck was scarred and missing hair, but the bear was in much better condition than we expected it to be.”
The exact origin of the lid remains unknown.While bear baiting is legal in Michigan, regulations typically mandate hole sizes large enough to prevent such incidents. How the bear managed to survive multiple winters with the encumbrance also remains a mystery.
What’s next
Now free of the plastic lid, the bear is expected to continue its life in the wild. The DNR will continue to monitor local bear populations and work to prevent similar incidents.