LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) told members of Michigan’s bear forum they believe the number of bruins living in the wilds of the northern Lower Peninsula reached the desired population goal.
In fact, officials said that has been a target for the last decade. Upper Peninsula bear numbers also remain strong.
Scientists estimate there are around 10,700 bears in the Upper Peninsula, and about 2,200 in the Lower Peninsula.
Those numbers mark a 25% increase in the U.P. over the last decade, and a nearly 70% increase below the Mackinac Bridge.