Residents in Union got an unexpected wildlife visit Friday night when a juvenile black bear started roaming through parts of town, drawing a flurry of calls to the Union Police Department and plenty of nervous glances out the window. Police said early reports suggest the animal is young and likely just passing through. Neighbors were urged to give the bear plenty of space while officers and wildlife officials kept tabs on its movements.
According to The Missourian, multiple sightings popped up on social media, and Union police said the bear "appears to be a juvenile" moving through the area. Officers were out investigating reports Friday evening and reminding residents to stay cautious and not approach the animal.
What conservation officials say
The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking people to keep their distance, lock up trash and pet food, and log any bear sightings through its online form so biologists can track where the animals are moving. MDC staff warn that feeding or approaching bears can make them comfortable around people, which raises the risk for both the animals and the community.
Recent sightings across Missouri
State tracking shows black bears are especially active this spring. Conservationists estimate there are roughly 1,000 black bears in Missouri's forests, according to KBIA. In late May, a black bear was even caught on video swimming at the Lake of the Ozarks. State conservation staff told KCTV5 that the swimmer was likely a young dispersing bear, and that these treks are usually brief unless the animal finds an easy human food source.
How to stay safe and report sightings
Officials say anyone who encounters an aggressive bear should call 911 right away. For non-emergency sightings, residents are asked to contact the Union Police Department and also report details through the Missouri Department of Conservation's bear-reporting page. Union police told The Missourian there were no reports of injuries to people or pets as of Friday night.
Authorities say they will keep monitoring the situation, but as wildlife staff recently told KCTV5 in a similar case, young bears on dispersal runs typically move along if they do not find food in town. Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on updates from local police and the Missouri Department of Conservation for any new information.
