Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials are investigating after a black bear hide was found disposed in DeKalb County last week. Officials say they don't have any leads at this time.
Officials say the hide was disposed of inappropriately and the action could result in a littering charge, a Class B infraction.
"Although DNR has tracked the presence of black bears the last two summers, one in NW Indiana that walked in from Michigan and one in southern Indiana that swam in from Kentucky, there has been no evidence of live black bears in northeast Indiana," DNR Communications Director Phil Bloom said in an email.
Bloom confirmed that the hide is not that of the black bear that had been roaming Southern Indiana and awoke from hibernation at the end of March.
The other bear that wandered in from Michigan was caught and euthanizedlast April after wildlife authorities say the bear may have been a threat to people.
The DNR asks that anyone with information to call 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367).