Bear euthanized by DNR after roaming around Traverse City

Photo Credit: Grand Traverse 911

(TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.) A 500 pound male black bear was euthanized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Thursday. 

The DNR shared the news on Facebook and said the bear had been roaming around Traverse City since May of 2021 and was getting closer to the downtown area.

According to the DNR, this bear was trapped, radio collared, and relocated to the Alpena area in April. 

However, it didn't take long for the bear to find its way back to Traverse City. 

Earlier this week the Traverse City Police Department posted on Facebook that the bear had been seen in the Ninth and Tenth Street area near downtown Traverse City. 

According to the DNR, the bear took food from bird feeders and fruit trees, and damaged property. 

"Because of this escalating behavior and the bear's comfort around humans and human food sources, and because relocation has proved ineffective, the DNR humanely euthanized the bear today (9/23) in the interest of public safety," said the Facebook statement posted by the DNR. 

The statement continued: "While we look to preserve wildlife populations as much as possible, our primary resources in these matters is human safety and we believe -- based on the behavior and history -- this bear could pose a threat to human welfare. This was a difficult decision to make and the DNR weighed all options before settling on this solution."

The hide and skull from the bear will be donated to a local educational facility.