Necropsy results show how black bear died

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. – Necropsy results for the black bear found dead along S.R. 15, near the entrance to the Toll Road, shows the bear died from a vehicle collision, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reported.

Preliminary results from the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue shows the bear had many fractured bones that DNR mammologist Brad Westrich said are consistent with a vehicle collision.

“It is unfortunate that for many in Elkhart County this was their first experience observing a black bear,” Westrich said. “It’s well documented that wild animals are commonly killed on roadways, and it’s a shame that Indiana’s fifth black bear in modern history met this fate.”

The DNR had not received reports of black bears in the area before finding this bear.

Hair and tissue samples will be analyzed to determine where the black bear came from.

If you see a bear, you are asked to report it to the DNR here.