Black bear sighting reported in rural southern Illinois. Authorities say it is legit
A black bear has been sighted in Randolph County.
The sighting was reported to the Sheriff’s Department on Saturday about 8:30 p.m.. The bear was about two miles south of Evansville, according to a statement from Sheriff Jarrod Peters posted on the department’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
“ After further investigation into the call, it was determined and verified that the bear sighting was a valid report,” Peters stated. “We are encouraging the public not to approach the bear if they come in contact with it. Keep your distance and allow it to move on.
“The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is aware of the sighting and have been in contact with their wildlife biologist.”
Black bears are not native to Illinois but in recent years, have been spotted here, likely crossing over from Missouri.
Just two years ago around this time, a black bear was reported in rural Waterloo in Monroe County and just a couple days later, in southwestern Clinton County. Other sightings were reported in the region too. Officials speculated that some of the sightings were of the same bear roaming across southern Illinois.
If you see a bear, you can report the sighting at www.wildlifeillinois.org/sightings/report/.
Evansville, the small town near Saturday’s sighting, is located along the Kaskaskia River, about 10 miles north of its confluence with the Mississippi River.
