There has been a report of a possible black bear sighting in Antioch, Illinois. The Lake County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday evening that deputies were called to the 24100 block of West Deer Ridge Lane in unincorporated Antioch after a bear was spotted on a home's deck and roaming around the area.
According to this report, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was notified and has responded to the area. The IDNR will attempt to locate the loose animal, tranquilize it, and relocate it when the bear is seen.
Meanwhile, there has also been a report of a bear sighting in Gurnee, Illinois. The Gurnee Police Department received reports of a possible bear sighting earlier this week.
The bear was reported in the area of Hunt Club Road and Route 132 in Gurnee. Officers responded and checked the area, but the bear was not found. Police officials said residents who spot the bear should not approach the animal.
Black bear sightings in Illinois are rare, but according to this report, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says that while there are currently no resident populations of black bears in Illinois, it's possible that individual bears from populations in Missouri and Wisconsin could travel into and through Illinois.
Here are some ways to prevent bears from entering residential areas:
- Hide your garbage with bear-proof trash cans.
- Remove bird feeders from your yard during summer months.
- Keep fruit trees away from your home.
- Avoid leaving pet food outside, particularly at night.
- Keep compost heaps and wood piles at the back end of your property.
- Clean your barbecue after each use.
- Avoid leaving food outside near your home.
If a bear enters your house, open doors and windows and make sure it can leave the same way it got in. Don’t approach the bear or block escape routes. Keep car doors and windows closed and locked if you park outside. Make sure there’s nothing with an odor in your vehicle, including candy, gum, air fresheners, trash, lotions and lip balms.
It's important to note that if you see a black bear, you should not run or surprise the bear. Instead, make noise to ensure the bear is aware of your presence. Black bears are not likely to attack humans unless they feel trapped or provoked. You should also respect the bear's space and not approach it. Stay safe!
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