Check out our latest products
Kansas Bear Sighting Sparks Buzz, But Experts Say It’s Not What You Think
A viral photo snapped near Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Kansas, had locals buzzing this week after it appeared to show a small black bear cub wandering through a residential driveway. The image, widely shared across social media in northeastern Kansas, quickly captured the imagination of the public—many swore they were seeing a young bear.
But as the speculation grew, wildlife experts stepped in with a more grounded explanation.
At first glance, the animal’s dark coat and posture led some to compare it to online photos of black bear cubs. Even Valor, the black bear at the Topeka Zoo, was pulled into the conversation. People wondered if perhaps a bear had escaped—or if her offspring could somehow be loose in the wild. However, zoo officials swiftly put those rumors to rest, confirming Valor was safe and explaining that bear cubs are significantly larger than the creature shown in the photo.
Matt Peek, a wildlife biologist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, reviewed the image and offered his professional opinion: the animal was most likely a raccoon. While the image quality made it hard to be 100% certain, Peek noted that even if the animal was sick, its size and features did not align with that of a black bear cub.
Further backing up his assessment, experts emphasized that the chance of encountering a black bear in Shawnee County is “almost zero.” The last confirmed black bear sighting in Kansas was in 2021, and that was in the far southern part of the state. Today, the nearest population of wild black bears resides along the Missouri-Arkansas border, far from Topeka.
While the photo gave locals a brief thrill, it also offered a valuable reminder to double-check wildlife sightings and seek expert input when possible. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks encourages residents to report unusual animal encounters via their official website, where sightings can be documented and verified.
As for the creature in the photo, it’s safe to say it won’t be joining any bear dens—but it did succeed in sparking a lively conversation and reminding everyone just how wild our own backyards can seem.
Click the video below to watch the full story:
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
![[5G & 2.4G] 2K Indoor Security Camera for Home Security, AI Voice Change for 2-Way Talk, Motion Detection, Night Vision, 24/7 SD Recording/Cloud Storage, WiFi Home Camera, Pet Cam with Phone App](https://i3.wp.com/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61I2U+sTT3L._AC_SL1500_.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1)
