Overview

• The bear was first photographed with a plastic lid on its neck in 2023 and evaded capture until a late-May 2025 trail-camera sighting prompted renewed efforts.
• State biologists with landowner permission used a baited enclosure trap to capture and sedate the 2-year-old male on June 2 for lid removal.
• After regaining consciousness, the bear was released back into its Montmorency County habitat without complications.
• The lid’s 12.7-centimeter opening failed to meet Michigan DNR rules requiring container holes to be no larger than 2.54 centimeters or at least 55.9 centimeters across.
• DNR specialists urged residents to practice “BearWise” behaviors by securing garbage and recycling or crushing containers that could trap wildlife.