The Illinois Department of Natural Resources noted on Friday that it was continuing to monitor reports of black bear sightings in southwestern Illinois.
The bear was first observed two Mondays ago in St. Clair County. An IDNR district wildlife biologist confirmed the sighting on Tuesday – the day after – and the animal was observed again Wednesday and Thursday, still in St. Clair County. The bear has had no interaction with humans, although it has damaged some beehives on private property.
IDNR’s wildlife division reminded residents on Friday that although sightings of black bears in Illinois are rare, the potential exists that animals from neighboring states may be observed in Illinois over the next few months.
“With established populations in the adjacent states of Missouri and Wisconsin, occasional summer movements by bears into Illinois are anticipated, including past confirmed sightings in Jo Daviess, Lake, Saline, Pope, Williamson, and Jackson counties.”
The Department of Natural Resources further encouraged:
“…people to avoid direct encounters with bears and to check their property for food sources that could attract a bear if one is reported in the area. Bears can follow their powerful noses to food sources and can pick up nearly anything with an odor from more than a mile away. Through learned behavior, bears often investigate anything that may yield a food reward, such as bird feeders, barbeque grills, garbage cans, and dog food. Once a bear finds a food source, they will likely return, so prevention is key.”
During early summer months, yearling bears disperse from their birth ranges in search of food and a permanent home range. Adult males travel far and wide looking for mates, and nursing females venture further from home range core areas to meet the energetic demands of raising cubs.
Bears are omnivores that will consume a wide range of plants or animals that provide calories. The bulk of their spring and early summer diet is plant-based, with whatever available protein they can locate – small mammals, fish, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or even dead animals.
Seeing a bear may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and their presence should not necessarily be perceived as a threat to human safety. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that bears are wild animals and should be treated as such.
The IDNR also provided a host of useful information and links, available below.
Go online to report a bear sighting to IDNR.Human conflicts with bears can be prevented by following these Bear Wise basics and by using the BearWise checklist:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure food, garbage, and recycling.
- Remove or limit use of bird feeders when bears are active.
- Avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
- Thoroughly clean and store grills and smokers after each use.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
People who encounter a bear should give the animal sufficient space while backing away slowly and quietly. If bear encounters persist after cleaning up food sources, contact Chris Jacques, IDNR’s large carnivore program manager, at chris.jacques@illinois.gov or an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist for advice.For more information on how to live responsibly with bears visit IDNR’s Wildlife Illinois website.
