The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring sightings of a black bear in southwestern Illinois, after the bear was first spotted in St. Clair County on Monday. The IDNR confirmed the sighting on Tuesday, and the bear was observed again on Wednesday and Thursday. While the bear has not interacted with humans, it has damaged some bee hives on private property.

IDNR officials remind the public that while black bear sightings are rare in Illinois, they are not unprecedented, especially during the summer months. Bears from neighboring states such as Missouri and Wisconsin may wander into Illinois, as they have in the past in counties including Jo Daviess, Lake, Saline, Pope, Williamson, and Jackson. To report a bear sighting, visit the IDNR reporting page.

To avoid attracting bears, the IDNR encourages residents to secure food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, and grills. Bears are omnivores, and their powerful sense of smell can lead them to these food sources from more than a mile away.

The IDNR urges anyone who encounters a bear to give it space and report the sighting online. More information on how to live responsibly with bears is available on the IDNR Wildlife Illinois page.