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Bear Sighted at Rend Lake

Photograph Courtesy of the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Thursday June 17, 2021

According to the community emergency notification system Nixle, a bear was sighted Thursday at Rend Lake.

A photograph taken by the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency shows what appears to be a bear walking in a cornfield, near a sign identifying the area as Rend Lake.

This sighting comes on the heels of two other bears reported near Waterloo, and across the river in St. Genevieve Missouri.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says Conservation Police Officers along with Wildlife Biologists are working with local law enforcement to continue to make sure both the bear, and the public remain safe.

The IDNR adds Illinois does not currently have an active breeding population of bears, Wisconsin and Missouri do have populations of bears so it is not uncommon to see bears in Illinois, looking for food and a potential mate.

If you see a bear the Department says to give the animal plenty of space, do not feed or approach the bear, and report the sighting to law enforcement.

Kevin Boucher is a retired broadcaster. Most recently he was a news reporter for WSIU radio. He grew up watching nature programs including Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom and the many Jacques Cousteau specials which sparked his passion with nature. Kevin also is an avid hiker and loves seeing and writing stories about the many fascinating plants and animals we share our planet with. Kevin is married and has lived in Murphysboro since 1976, after living in many places, including Japan, as the son of a Navy officer.


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