Residents in southern Illinois are reporting black bear sightings after the last confirmed sighting in western Kentucky. A Kentucky wildlife official believes the bear swam across the Ohio River to enter Illinois and later crossed the Mississippi River to Missouri. The bear is likely a young male searching for a new territory after being booted out by its mother and has been spotted in several Illinois counties. Both Kentucky and Missouri have growing bear populations, with around 1,500 black bears in Kentucky and 900 in Missouri.
Black bear sightings were also reported in southern Illinois last year, with officials believing the bears came from Missouri. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources advises that black bears in non-established populations are not dangerous but could become habituated to human food sources. Residents are urged not to feed or approach the bears and to secure food, garbage, and other attractants. While the Department of Natural Resources asks residents to report bear sightings, they stress that bears are wild animals and should be treated as such.
Overall, black bears in the continental United States are estimated to number around 4 million. Both Kentucky and Missouri have hunting seasons for bears, with Kentucky having established a season in 2009 and Missouri in 2021. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources emphasizes the importance of bear safety measures and reminds residents to enjoy seeing the bears while taking necessary precautions.
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