As a cub in the U.S. state of Michigan, a bear wandered around a trail through a forest. When he spotted a delicious-smelling barrel along the way, he was filled with curiosity. He stuck his head through a large hole someone had cut in the top to investigate. But when it came time to pull his head back out – he simply couldn’t.
The large lid of the plastic barrel got stuck around his neck, clinging to him like a collar. That was two years ago. Finally, in May 2025, officials freed him from this torment.
But it turns out the barrel the little cub was investigating was not so innocent after all. It was actually a bear-baiting barrel, which is a trick that hunters use to lure bears in – and then shoot them dead as a trophy. Even worse, this isn’t illegal in Michigan. Sign the petition to demand that state lawmakers ban this sickening, cruel practice now!
Bear hunters gleefully exchange information with each other online about the “best” ways to set up a bear-baiting barrel so that they can attract a bear and keep its attention for long enough to kill it. It is specifically intended to harm bears.
This practice is disgusting and disturbing, but since it’s legal in Michigan, bears are stumbling across these traps all the time.
Luckily, our friend the little cub lived. Officials are not sure how he managed to survive. As he aged, he grew further into the barrel’s lid, with it becoming ever more stuck around his neck. Yet he proved resilient: somehow he managed to still forage, eat, sleep, and hibernate for two years. Wildlife experts worked hard to track him down so they could safely anesthetize him and cut the lid off from around his neck.
He’s now back in the wild, living his life while free from the lid. But we don’t know how much longer he’ll be safe – because bear-hunters are still out in those woods, looking for easy prey just like him.
Bears have the right to live and be treated with respect, not cruelty! Sign the petition to ban bear-hunting and bear-baiting in Michigan!
This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by One Green Planet on 15 July 2025. Lead Image Credit :Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock.
Wildlife in catastrophic decline
The 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations during the last 50 years (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish), is primarily driven by human activities that threaten biodiversity.
Habitat Loss and Degradation – human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, reducing the space and resources available for wildlife.
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Climate Change – changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and sea levels are disrupting ecosystems and impacting species’ ability to adapt and survive.
Overexploitation of Resources – unsustainable hunting, fishing, and logging practices can lead to the depletion of populations and the loss of biodiversity.
Invasive Species – the introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, compete with native species, and threaten their survival.
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