The black bear that's been spotted in Berrien and St. Joseph Counties appears to have headed west. State wildlife biologists believe the first wild black bear confirmed in Indiana since the 1870s is continuing to wander around the state line with Michigan. The D-N-R says evidence found over the weekend and reported sightings on Monday suggest the bear traveled from St. Joseph County into a rural area of LaPorte County near Michigan City. Biologists believe the young male bear walked into the area from Michigan, which has an estimated black bear population topping 15-thousand. Black bears are listed as an exotic mammal and are protected under Indiana law.
