AKRON — Black bears had pretty much disappeared from the Buckeye State by 1850, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

However, that population, while still small, has not only returned, but has grown.

What You Need To Know

  • Summer is breeding season for bears 

  • This means young bears are more likely to be spotted as they look for their new homes

  • There are around 200 confirmed bear sightings in Ohio each year

Residents in Summit County have enjoyed seeing the bear population increase over the past several years. 

Marlo Perdicas, a Summit Metro Parks biologist, explained the Akron area will usually see several migrating bears each year. 

“Generally we have a small handful of bears that move through at this time of year,” Perdicas said. “One or two but sometimes three four or five.” 

The summer time, specifically June and July, is breeding season for bears. 

“What happens is the young bears, that have been with mom for about 18 months, they leave and migrate,” she said.  “So bears that live in the eastern part of the state, and in Pennsylvania often times find their way into Summit County as they try to find a new place to live.” 

There are about 200 confirmed bear sightings in the state each year. 

“In eastern Ohio, so in northeast, Ashtabula, Geauga County, and in southeast Ohio, where the Wayne National Forrest is, we actually have resident bears,” she said. 

Summit County Metro Parks are hoping these rare bear sightings will become more common throughout the Akron-area.

Having resident bears is typically a sign of a healthy environment, said Perdicas.

“We would love to have resident bears,” she said. “Bears are higher up on the food chain, they are a large animal, they eat both plants and animals, about 80% of their diet is plant material, so we have the things that bears need.” 

If you do happen across one of these big furry animals, it’s important to remember you can observe but do not interact with the bear.

“We want to maintain our distance if we can,” she said. “Even viewing the bear from inside or inside your vehicle if you happen to be driving and seeing it.”