Fact Check: "Experts unsure how the lid got stuck on the bear's neck!"
What We Know
Recently, wildlife biologists from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) removed a plastic lid that had been stuck around the neck of a young black bear for two years. The bear was first spotted in 2023 as a cub, and it was not until June 2025 that biologists were able to safely capture and remove the lid. The lid had a 5-inch hole, which is typically too large to cause such an incident; however, the exact circumstances of how the bear got its head stuck remain unclear. According to Cody Norton, a bear specialist at the DNR, “it’s not precisely known how the lid got stuck on the bear’s neck” (DNR biologists remove lid stuck on bear's neck for 2 years, Wildlife experts remove plastic lid that was stuck on bear's neck).
Analysis
The claim that experts are unsure how the lid got stuck on the bear's neck is supported by multiple sources. The DNR's official report states that while the bear was able to survive and feed itself despite the lid, the specifics of how it became ensnared are unknown (DNR biologists remove lid stuck on bear's neck for 2 years). This uncertainty is echoed by other reports, which highlight that the bear had been elusive and that the DNR had been monitoring it for some time before successfully capturing it (Wildlife experts remove plastic lid that was stuck on bear's neck, DNR helps bear found with container lid stuck around its neck).
The credibility of the sources is high, as they come from reputable organizations and news outlets. The Michigan DNR is a government agency responsible for wildlife management, and their reports are based on direct observations and interventions. The New York Post and WOOD TV are established news organizations that report on local and national events, further corroborating the DNR's findings.
However, it is important to note that while the sources provide consistent information regarding the uncertainty of how the lid became stuck, they do not offer alternative explanations or theories. This lack of diverse perspectives may limit a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Conclusion
The claim that experts are unsure how the lid got stuck on the bear's neck is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that while the bear survived with the lid for two years, the exact circumstances surrounding how it became trapped remain unknown.
