It’s not every day that you hear about an odd animal in Kansas. Then again, we have heard about the odd alligator or moose from time to time. However, more recently, we’ve been spotting another type of animal visitor in our state. Have you heard about the black bear sightings in Kansas? We’ve been reading what KWPT has to say about the matter.

See this fuzzy face? Black bears like this one have been finding their way into Kansas recently, and with increasing numbers of sightings, we have to wonder whether they'll be a permanent resident.
Jethro Taylor/Flickr
Historically, black bears were already naturally found in Kansas before we ever got here. They only left due to human civilizations and being hunted out in the 1870s, not only here but across various areas of America.
Aaron Warren/Flickr
However, in the past decade or two, sightings have increased little by little. In the bordering states of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Missouri, black bears have been slowly heading into Kansas as their populations expand and shift over time.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr

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This doesn't present much of an issue when it comes to wildlife, as we're used to being wary of bobcats and coyotes etc but it does pose a possible issue for camping especially.
Nick Varvel/Flickr
We'd want to keep them away from towns and cities, but we know these bears often have attitudes like overgrown raccoons. They're here for food, and as a creature who loves rummaging through trash, they're likely to approach not only towns and cities but also campsites.
Bob Gaffney/Flickr
It will cost a bit more money and a bit more extra work for parks and wildlife personnel to keep the peace. Bears keep to areas not far from water in general, and since they're looking for territory, Kansas only makes sense.
Kai Nousiainen/Flickr
For now, the memo is to report any bear sightings and keep pets leashed as usual when you're out hiking. Keep your distance, get a photo if possible, and welcome our possible new residents with respect. They've been gone for quite a while, and if they belong here, we're ready to accept that.
Travis/Flickr

Have you seen something odd in Kansas that doesn’t quite belong? Tell us about it in the comments! As always, if you’d like to promote a Kansas restaurant or location, tell us about it here.

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