Trail cams capture black bear in Oklahoma, Lincoln counties for first time

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Check this out!

Trail cams in Oklahoma and Lincoln counties captured a male black bear hanging around the area.

Game wardens confirmed that the bear is a young, male black bear.

It's believed to be the first documented account of a black bear in Oklahoma County, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

There is a healthy population of black bears in a few areas of the state like southeast Oklahoma, northeast Oklahoma, and the tip of the Oklahoma panhandle.

The ODW said they're not sure where the bear came from but did say the bear population in southeast Oklahoma has been expanding further north and west.

It is not atypical to see young, male black bears roaming though, they said, because they tend to roam for long distances looking for the perfect place to call home.

Home for a young black bear generally includes plenty of food, no other larger male black bears, female bears for mating, and away from humans.

Once the bear has settled on a home it will continue to roam anywhere from five to 80+ square miles.

It is not completely surprising to see a bear anywhere in Oklahoma, ODW said, because of their home ranges.

According to their Facebook post, Warden Harriet believes the bear is traveling east parallel to the Turner Turnpike and is feeding from corn feeders in his path.

If you do see a bear in the area ODW said be sure to give them a call.

Just another cool thing about Oklahoma!