KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Black bear sightings on May 12-13 have been confirmed in Johnson County, Kansas, and Jackson County, Missouri.
A black bear was spotted Tuesday morning in Grandview near the Taco Bell at West Outer Road and Main Street, according to the city of Grandview.
The city said the first report of the bear came around 5:45 a.m. from a police officer on his way to work.
Later, a photo of the bear was taken near 13th and Skyline.
The city said Grandview Animal Control contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation "immediately" to confirm the sightings.
Across the state line, Overland Park Animal Control Services confirmed the agency has received reports of a black bear. The animal was spotted just before 8 p.m. Monday at the Grass Pad near 199th Street and 69 Highway.
One woman said she thought it was a dog at first.
"But once it got closer to the pavement, it doesn't run like a dog, and their backsides don't look like dogs. And I was like, 'Oh my God, that's a bear,'" recalled Lisa Kobularcik, witness.
An animal control supervisor confirmed footage captured by the Stilwell Grass Pad was of a "legitimate black bear."
“It’s uncommon to see them, but it’s not uncommon to have black bears in Kansas or Missouri. Usually, they are a little further south," said Ofc. Emily Riddle, OP Animal Control supervisor.
Authorities said the bear is “not believed to be a danger to the public unless provoked.”
Future bear sightings can be reported to 911, and police will “contact conservation agents,” per Grandview officials.
The Missouri Department of Conservation shared some bear safety tips:
- If you see a bear, do not approach the bear.
- If you see a bear, call 911.
- Do not leave food outside.
- Do not leave trash outside.
- Lock dumpsters, if possible.
- Do not leave pets unattended outside.
“Most Missouri bears live just south of Interstate 44 (core range), but as the population continues to grow, bears have started to inhabit new areas of the state,” according to the conservation department's website.
MORE | Missouri Department of Conservation black bear sightings, range maps
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has wildlife biologists looking into the situation. It is unclear if the bear spotted in Kansas was the same seen in Missouri.
KDWP reports black bears have historically been found in the woodlands of eastern Kansas and the Red Hills in the southcentral and southwestern areas of the state.
However, sightings in Kansas have increased since 2000 due to “established populations of black bears within short distances" of the state.
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