ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois. The bear was first seen Monday in St. Clair County and confirmed by an IDNR district wildlife biologist on Tuesday.
The bear, observed again on Wednesday and Thursday, has not interacted with humans but has damaged bee hives on private property. IDNR's wildlife division noted that while black bear sightings in Illinois are rare, more sightings from neighboring states like Missouri and Wisconsin could occur over the next few months.
IDNR encourages residents to avoid direct encounters with bears and to remove potential food sources from their properties. "Once a bear finds a food source, they will likely return, so prevention is key," said IDNR. Bears can detect odors from more than a mile away and are drawn to bird feeders, grills, garbage cans, and pet food.
Residents are advised to report bear sightings to IDNR . To prevent human conflicts with bears, the basics suggest securing food and garbage, removing bird feeders when bears are active, and cleaning grills thoroughly.
"Bears are wild animals and should be treated as such," said IDNR, emphasizing the importance of safety. For persistent bear encounters, contact Chris Jacques, IDNR’s large carnivore program manager, or an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist for advice.
For more information on living responsibly with bears, visit IDNR’s Wildlife Illinois .
