Wildlife Officials Believe Bear Has Returned To Michigan

HESTON, Ind. (AP) — Wildlife officials who have been trying to catch a black bear that has been roaming far northern Indiana believe it has returned to Michigan.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources farmland game research biologist Budd Veverka said Tuesday there hasn't been any sign of the bear in Indiana in two weeks. Veverka says the last report of the bear was on Sunday east of New Buffalo, Michigan, about 25 miles northwest of South Bend.

Veverka says the DNR has returned two traps it borrowed from Michigan, but is considering buying a trap of its own because the bear could return. He also says more bears could follow.

Until recently, Indiana had not had a confirmed black bear sighting since 1871.