Ohio Wildlife Biologists Track Black Bears to Understand Population Dynamics
Wildlife biologists in Ohio are actively trapping, tagging, and tracking black bears as part of a five-year study to understand their population dynamics and behavior. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Gantchoff lab at the University of Dayton, has equipped several bears with GPS collars and ear tags. This initiative follows a record number of bear sightings in Ohio, with 537 reported in 2025 across 69 counties. The study aims to gather data on bear population, reproduction, and movement patterns to mitigate potential human-bear conflicts. The research involves setting traps baited with sweet foods and monitoring the bears' movements through GPS technology. 
