A black bear was caught on camera roaming a field east of Pataskala Tuesday morning, marking the first confirmed sighting in Licking County this year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The bear, most likely a young male, was spotted near York Road, and wildlife officials say it’s likely just passing through. Black bears are considered endangered in Ohio, and sightings in Licking County remain rare—only six were confirmed between 1993 and 2022. ODNR says many of the bears that are spotted in Ohio are young males dispersing, which means that they are wandering long distances looking for females. They added that since there are few resident females in the state they tend to move on quickly. “Only in recent years have there been evidence of females with cubs. Once a female establishes a home range, they tend to stay there. Ohio has an estimated bear population of 50-100 individuals,” a spokesperson wrote. The spokesperson said that the Division of Wildlife will monitor the bear and respond if it becomes a nuisance or poses a public safety risk. Black bears are more commonly found in the forested regions of eastern Ohio. There were 161 sightings reported in 2022. What to do if you see a black bear near your home ODNR suggests that you take the following steps to bear-proof your backyard if you see one in your area: Keep your trash in a garage or secured container Remove bird feeders temporarily Keep pet food inside Clean grease from outdoor grills Pick any fruit growing in your yard Bear or other wildlife sightings can be reported to ODNR using this link. More information on black bears in Ohio can also be found at Wildohio.gov or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.