CHESTER – On Saturday, June 3, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible bear sighting approximately two miles south of Evansville.
After further investigation into the call, it was determined and verified that the bear sighting was a valid report.
“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,” a sheriff’s official stated in a Facebook post. “The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is aware of the sighting and have been in contact with their wildlife biologist.”
Attached are some links that explain the reasoning why bears are traveling through Illinois.
Report a Sighting
https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/sightings/report/
Living with Bears in Illinois Information
https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/…/very…/black-bear/
Black Bear information