{"id":476363,"date":"2025-12-28T04:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T04:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/476363\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T04:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T04:29:16","slug":"black-bear-caught-on-trail-cam-twice-in-knox-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/476363\/","title":{"rendered":"Black bear caught on trail cam twice in Knox County"},"content":{"rendered":"

BLADENSBURG \u2014 For the first time since 2021, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources<\/a>\u2018 Knox County office has confirmed the spotting of a black bear<\/a> in the wild.<\/p>\n

The Knox County Natural Resources Area Facebook page posted<\/a> the first recording of the furry traveler on Dec. 13, documenting the bear in the Bladensburg, Walhonding and Zuck area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe area is unusual for a black bear to be spotted, especially this time of year,\u201d ODNR Wildlife Management Supervisor Gary Comer said. <\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, transient young males would have already left for more suitable territory and females generally stay close to the northeastern part of the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comer said folks spotted a black bear in Coshocton County recently, and it is possible that pressure caused the same bear to roam into Knox County.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeer season is unlikely to play much of a role, but stressors caused by human activity can pressure a bear from where it is living,\u201d Comer added.<\/p>\n

A few days later, a second trail cam caught the bear puzzling through terrain before disappearing into the night, much to the joy and surprise of those recording the animal.<\/p>\n

The Knox County Natural Resources Area Facebook page posted a second clip on Dec. 17, check it out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ODNR\u2019s possible next course of action and safety tips<\/p>\n

After ODNR confirmed both recordings, wildlife officials observed fresh tracks, a possible bedding location and attempted to collect hair samples to identify the bear\u2019s sex.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose for this investigation was to collect hair from one of the fences the bear crossed so that we could provide it to the University of Dayton for DNA sequencing to determine if it was a male or female,\u201d Comer said. <\/p>\n

\u201cFemales are less nomadic than males and may be pregnant this time of year. Males, particularly, young males can travel hundreds of miles and are less likely to remain in the area for a prolonged period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comer said officials have previously spotted bears in Northeast Ohio and trapped them, equipped them with a tracking collar and released them for further study.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is discussion that if the [Knox County] bear overwinters in the area that there would be interest in collaring it during the springtime \u2014 especially so if the individual is a sow,\u201d Comer said.<\/p>\n

While unusual and nerve-racking, for some, Comer said the bear is \u201cno more of a safety concern in the area than deer or any other large animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlack bears prefer to avoid humans, therefore bear attacks are a rare occurrence. As long as the bear is given its space and not cornered, there is very little threat to public safety,\u201d Comer continued.<\/p>\n

Tips from ODNR should someone encounter a black bear:<\/p>\n