Black bears are making a comeback in Ohio, with sightings at the highest level on record. Once completely eradicated from the state in 1850, black bears have been slowly returning as early as the 1930s.
Record High Sightings
Sightings began growing and Ohio’s Division of Wildlife started tracking sightings since 1993. Last year broke the record for sightings. In 2025, there was 537 sightings across 69 counties, that’s about 160 more than in 2024.
Sightings are also becoming more widespread, with officials confirming evidence of breeding females establishing home ranges in northeast Ohio, signaling the early stages of a resident population re-establishing itself in the state.
Bear sightings usually peak in late May through early July. Officials urge residents to take precautions to ensure safety and prevent attracting bears to residential areas. Tips include securing trash in garages or bear-proof containers, temporarily removing bird feeders, keeping pet food indoors, and cleaning grease from outdoor grills.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife reminds residents not to approach bears if encountered. Instead, report sightings to the Ohio Division of Wildlife at wildohio.gov or local authorities. Tracking these sightings helps biologists monitor Ohio’s growing black bear population.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
