06/03/2026
Something that we would have never guessed to be on our Athletics BINGO card...glad to be able to help!
What do you get when a 150-pound black bear decides to visit a Mt. Pleasant neighborhood? An incredible community effort and a safe journey home!
On Tuesday, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife and law enforcement teams partnered with Mt. Pleasant police, firefighters, and city workers after a young male bear wandered a bit too far inside city limits and climbed up a tree.
To ensure everyone’s safety (including the bear's) we stepped in to help. Thanks to Mt. Pleasant High School lending us a thick pole vault pad, the tranquilized bear landed safely and completely unharmed after an 18-foot drop!
DNR biologists gave him a quick medical checkup (he's in great health!), tagged him, and safely relocated him about 60 miles north to a beautiful swamp in the Houghton Lake area.
In these situations, removal is the safest option for people, pets, property and the bear itself.
Friendly Bear Reminder: With spring in full swing, bears are covering long distances to find food and mates. While most of Michigan’s 12,000+ bears live in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, you can occasionally encounter them just about anywhere, even in the city.
To keep our wildlife wild and to live safely around our furry neighbors, consider doing the following:
🐦 Take down bird feeders during the spring and summer (bears love birdseed and can smell it from a mile away).
🍔 Clean your grills thoroughly after use.
🐶 Avoid leaving pet food outside.
🗑️ Wait until collection day to put out your trash.
A massive thank you to the City of Mt. Pleasant, local emergency crews, and the residents who watched respectfully from a safe distance. Teamwork helped this bear find a new, less busy, home. 🙌
