Rare Black Bear Sighting in Southern Indiana Confirmed by DNR

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed a black bear sighting in Southern Indiana on Monday, the first sighting in the entire state in over a year.

In their press release, officials with the DNR acknowledged the sighting in Harrison County near the city of Corydon. The previous sighting happened in the northern part of the state where Conservation Officers reported a black bear had wandered across the border from Michigan. After weeks of observation, the bear returned to Michigan.

Prior to that report, the last known sighting of a black bear anywhere in Indiana was nearly 140 years ago which makes Monday's report in Corydon especially noteworthy.

The Corydon bear is not the same bear from a year ago, but a different animal entirely, so to speak. The DNR believes this bear may have managed to make it's way across the Ohio River from Kentucky, who has an expanding black bear population.

While the confirmed sighting is certainly rare and exciting for nature enthusiasts, it's also no doubt be terrifying for those in the area who would prefer not to wake up with a large, wild animal sitting on their front porch, or worse yet in their car.

To help residents avoid either of the latter scenarios, the Indiana Department of Fish and Wildlife issued the following tips for residents to help prevent the animal from making its way onto their property:

• Don’t intentionally feed bears. If a bear becomes accustomed to finding food near your home, it may become a “problem” bear.
• Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed.
• Clean and store grills away after use.
• Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
• Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November.
• Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
• If encountering a bear, don’t run. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly.
• Collect and remove low-hanging or fallen fruit from fruit trees.
• Eliminate meat, cooking oil, fish or fruit odors from near your home. This includes fish-meal fertilizers.
• Collect and remove any ripened vegetables from your garden.

According to the DNR, under Administrative Code 312 9-3-18.5 (b-1), Black Bears are considered an exotic animal which affords them some protection from individuals looking to score a major trophy for their wall. The only exception to the Code is if the animal is "destroying or causing substantial damage to property owned or leased by the landowner or tenant." In those cases, property owners have the right to use lethal force against the animal to prevent major property damage.

Officials with the DNR will keep an eye on the bear to determine whether or not they will allow it to remain in Indiana, or if it requires neutralizing and relocation to another area if it starts to become a nuisance to residents.

Residents across the state are encouraged to notify the DNR in the event they spot the bear, or any others, by e-mailing dfwinput@dnr.IN.gov or by calling (812) 334-1137 during regular business hours. Photos or videos with a maximum file size of 15 MB can be sent to the same email address.

[Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources]