PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says there’s nothing to be worried about after a black bear was sighted Thursday afternoon in Ottawa County.
At 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office received two separate reports that a black bear had been spotted in the area of 152nd Avenue and Riley Street in Park Township. Deputies responded to the scene and their investigation determined that the sightings were credible.
The DNR was contacted and DNR officials advised that sightings of black bears in Ottawa County are not uncommon during early spring. The DNR said these bears will migrate north into more remote areas.
DNR officials said black bear sightings are rare but not uncommon because the black bear is a native wild animal throughout the state of Michigan.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office reminded citizens not to approach or harass any wild animal they come upon.
