The bear is seen still with the jar on its head after wandering on the deck of a summer home on Lambert Island, near Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario. (Rob Paterson/Canadian Press)

A bear in northwestern Ontario whose head had been stuck in a jar for at least two weeks appears to have freed himself, relieved wildlife officials said Thursday.

Officials with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources said a canoeist reported finding an empty plastic jar with fur in it on the shores of Lake Superior.

They suspect the bear had somehow broken free and they hope to retrieve the jar and analyze it.

The jar would have made it impossible for the bear to eat and drink. The bear had lost a significant amount of weight and officials worried it could die of thirst.

Rescuers had been searching for the bear since Tuesday, after it was spotted and photographed on Lambert Island near Thunder Bay.