Fact Check: Bear weighed 110 pounds, typical for a 2-year-old despite its ordeal.

Fact Check: "Bear weighed 110 pounds, typical for a 2-year-old despite its ordeal."

What We Know

A recent report detailed the recovery of a black bear in Michigan that had been living with a plastic lid stuck around its neck for two years. After being captured and treated, it was noted that the bear weighed 110 pounds, which is considered a typical weight for a 2-year-old black bear. According to wildlife experts, this weight is consistent with what is expected for bears of that age, indicating that the bear was able to sustain itself despite the unusual circumstance of having a lid around its neck (source-2, source-3).

Black bears generally exhibit significant weight variation based on age and seasonal factors. Adult males typically weigh between 250 to 500 pounds, while females average around 150 pounds. At two years old, male black bears are often still growing and may weigh between 110 to 188 pounds, depending on their health and environmental conditions (source-1, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that the bear weighed 110 pounds, typical for a 2-year-old, is supported by multiple credible sources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the bear's weight and noted that it was in better condition than expected given its ordeal (source-3). This aligns with general knowledge about black bear growth, where a weight of 110 pounds is within the expected range for a two-year-old male bear (source-2).

The sources used in this fact-check are reliable, particularly the reports from wildlife experts and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which provide firsthand accounts and data regarding bear biology and behavior. The information from these sources is corroborated by broader studies on black bear weights and growth patterns (source-1, source-6).

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that the bear weighed 110 pounds, which is typical for a 2-year-old, is accurate based on the evidence provided by wildlife experts and corroborated by general knowledge about black bear growth. Despite the challenges posed by the lid around its neck, the bear was able to maintain a weight consistent with its age.

Fact Check: Bear weighed 110 pounds, typical for a 2-year-old despite its ordeal.