RICHLAND COUNTY, OH – A black bear was killed after being hit by a pickup truck along State Route 546 near Black Road over the weekend, with the incident reported on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:02 PM EDT. Several wildlife officers and Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the scene, where experts determined the bear’s severe injuries necessitated euthanasia on-site.
Black bears are a rare sight in Ohio and are classified as endangered in the state. This marks only the fifth confirmed black bear sighting in Richland County since the early 1990s, highlighting the significance of the event. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources tracks these sightings to study bear populations, habitat preferences, and travel patterns.
The public is encouraged to report black bear and other rare wildlife sightings to aid research efforts. Reports can be submitted at https://ow.ly/Ct6G50WaS6g.
