A Missouri Department of Conservation Agent was able to photograph the bear Tuesday, about five miles west of Lincoln, Mo.
The conservation department says the bears are unusual in west central Missouri and are usually spotted in wooded areas in the southern part of the state.
One MDC scientist says the bear could be a young male. They tend to leave their home territories and move until they find a habitat with female bears.
Bears fitted with tracking devices by the MDC have started north, but have always returned south. A few bears that have ventured in to the norther part of the state and on to Iowa have not survived.
Biologists have estimated the bear population in the state to be between 150 and 300.
For more information on black bears in Missouri, click here.
Photo is courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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