Bear spotted near KC is rare for Kansas. What should you do if you meet one?
A couple of big creatures are making their way through the Kansas City area, and it’s caught everyone by surprise.
Black bears were spotted in multiple locations in Kansas and Missouri, according to local authorities in those states.
One bear was spotted by a Grandview Police officer near a Taco Bell at West Outer Road and Main Street and later in a residential area near 13th Street and Skyline Drive in Grandview on Tuesday, May 13, according to a statement from the city.
A different bear was also seen at the Grass Pad garden center by 69 Highway on 199th Street near Stilwell, according to Matt Peek, a wildlife research biologist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
While you might be inclined to approach one to see if your eyes aren’t deceiving you, you should keep your distance. The Star talked to Peek about how common bears are in Kansas and what you should do if you see a black bear in Kansas.
How many bears live in Kansas?
You don’t have to worry about bears living in Kansas. The state isn’t bear country, Peek said.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks isn’t aware of any bears that call Kansas home, but they’ve had reports of bears spotted in the state since 2000. Peek said the type of bear they received a report for is called a yearling bear, which are young bears around 18 months old that recently left their mother.
“We have had occasional bears, primarily yearling bears like this one, come into the state in May, June and July,” Peek said. “We’ve had some visitors, but to our knowledge, we don’t have resident adult bears or reproduction in the state.”
How has the bear population changed in Kansas?
Bears used to live in Kansas, but now they’re only spotted on their way to destinations like Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri and New Mexico. Only 12 bears have been reported and documented coming through Kansas since 2015, Peek said.
“They show up and get documented and then they’ve generally moved back into those states,” Peek said.
It’s a lot less than Missouri, where approximately a thousand black bears live, Nate Bowersock, black bear and furbearer biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, told The Star in late 2024.
How can I keep bears away from my home in Kansas?
If you see a black bear or any other bear, do not approach it. It’s a wild animal, and Peek said you should keep your distance from them at all times. They may seem cute from far away, but the animals can weigh between 90 and several hundred pounds and can run up to 30 mph.
Peek said if bears are active in your area, make sure your trash is secured, and don’t leave pet food or bird feeders sitting around for them to dig through.
“Keeping them from getting access to food will keep them moving and hopefully away from human dwellings,” Peek said.
What should I do if I see a bear in Kansas?
Any bears spotted should be reported to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ wildlife sighting website. The website also shows you can make reports for mountain lions, gray wolves, coyotes, red foxes, and endangered and threatened species found in Kansas.
You can report any wild animal sightings directly online using this form. You will need to provide the animal you saw, when you saw it, where you were at and be able to provide any additional details, like pictures, videos or descriptions of the observation.
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Bear spotted near KC is rare for Kansas. What should you do if you meet one?."
