Overview

• A 2-year-old male black bear was first photographed in 2023 with a plastic lid stuck around its neck, remaining entangled for nearly two years.
• On June 2, with landowner permission, Michigan DNR biologists set a baited enclosure trap, sedating the bear to remove the lid before releasing it back into Montmorency County.
• Examining the neck revealed an abscess with heavy scarring around the 5-inch hole from the lid.
• Post-procedure assessment recorded a weight of about 110 pounds, indicating overall normal health for the bear’s age.
• The incident highlighted that holes between 1 inch and 22 inches in bait containers violate Michigan regulations, prompting the DNR’s BearWise campaign to secure waste, modify attractant storage, protect wildlife.