Bear freed after two years trapped by plastic lid on neck

In Michigan, wildlife experts were able to assist a young bear that had been suffering with a plastic lid stuck around its neck for two years. This incident came to light when the bear was first photographed on a trail camera as a cub in 2023 in Montmorency County, where it was often elusive and appeared sporadically in sightings. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) became aware of the bear's situation and started efforts to capture it after monitoring its movements through these images. In late May 2025, a resident spotted the bear and reported it to the DNR. A baited trap was subsequently set up, and on June 2, 2025, biologists successfully captured the bear. Once safely secured, the DNR veterinary team anesthetized the bear to carefully cut off the lid. During the examination, they noted that the bear weighed 110 pounds, which was typical for a two-year-old male bear, although there were signs of scarring and an abscess on its neck where the lid had been. Cody Norton, a specialist with the DNR, remarked on the bear's ability to survive despite the adverse conditions caused by the plastic lid. He noted that while the bear's neck was scarred and missing hair, it was overall in better condition than expected. This revelation underscored the remarkable resilience of wildlife, especially regarding their adaptability to challenging situations. The immediate concern had been that the injury might lead to more significant health issues or problems that could limit the bear's ability to thrive in the wild. After the removal of the lid, the bear was released back into its natural habitat, where it would be free to continue its life without the burden of an unnatural obstruction. The DNR highlighted the need for public awareness regarding the implications of improper disposal of waste that can harm wildlife. They encouraged proper guidelines for bear baiting, which is a legal practice in Michigan, emphasizing the need for containers used in baiting to have appropriate openings to minimize risks to animals. The incident serves as a reminder about the potential dangers wildlife face from human activities and the importance of wildlife conservation efforts to protect these animals.