(KMOX) - As we roll through spring, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is making sure residents are keeping a watch out for black bears that have been seen migrating in and out of neighboring states.
The department says although there isn't a "breeding population" of the bears in Illinois, it has seen a number of them traveling through areas of the state in recent years. Most notably, there was Bruno the bear last year, who walked 400 miles from Wisconsin, through Illinois and then into Missouri.
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If you see a black bear you should give the animal at least 100 yards of space and leave them alone, the department states. They kept a close eye on a number of bears last year:
You can report bear sighting to your local IDNR District Wildlife Biologist, here. And find additional information at https://bebearaware.org/bear-encounters/
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