(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — For the second time in the past few days, there was a report of a bear roaming around north suburban Lake County.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Saturday that deputies were on the scene of a loose black bear on the 24100 block of West Deer Ridge Lane in unincorporated Antioch.
“Do not approach the bear,” officials wrote in all caps in the tweet.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was responding.
It has been a busy few days for bear sightings. A black bear was possibly spotted Wednesday morning in Gurnee, and while a video showing what looked like a bear was all the buzz on social media — no bear was found.
Wildlife Illinois said there are currently no resident populations of black bears in Illinois, but they can easily wander down from Wisconsin.
An adult male black bear can weigh 250 pounds – 400 pounds.
A black bear likely won’t attack a person unless it feels “trapped or provoked,” according to Wildlife Illinois. The organization recommended that those who spot a black bear should not run and should make noise to ensure the bear is aware of their presence.
If spotted by a bear, Wildlife Illinois wrote on its website that individuals should make themselves look as large as possible while slowly backing away. Try to go inside of a building or a vehicle, if possible.
In Illinois, it’s illegal to hunt, kill or harass black bears unless there is an “imminent threat” to a person or property.
Those who spot black bears in Illinois were encouraged to report the sighting to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also recommended residents contact their local law enforcement agency.
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