Black bear spotted near Scott Air Force Base and Mascoutah, authorities said Saturday

The wave of black bear sightings in the metro-east continued Saturday near Scott Air Force Base and Mascoutah.

The Air Force Base warned around 8:30 a.m. Saturday to use caution near Cardinal Creek Gate because a bear was spotted nearby and could enter the base around the fence in that area.

Later Saturday morning, the Mascoutah Police Department reported that the black bear had been spotted near town.

“The best thing everyone can do is leave the bear alone and allow it to continue its migration,” the department wrote in a message to the community on social media.

The bear was seen in Monroe County on Sunday and then in St. Clair County since Monday. Locations include Columbia, Cement Hollow Road near Dupo, a senior living center in the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and Granvue Drive in west Belleville and in the Caseyville area.

On Thursday, residents near O’Fallon spotted a black bear in a front yard near the intersection of Simmons Road and Kyle Road.

An Illinois Conservation Police officer said this is a male bear that likely swam across the Mississippi River from Missouri, where there is a growing population of about 900 bears. Young, male bears are known for their long-range running in the summer and black bears are excellent swimmers.

Wildlife officials believe this bear is different from the one seen in four southern Illinois counties — Pope, Saline, Williamson and Jackson — in July. A Kentucky wildlife official said the bear spotted in July likely swam across the Ohio River to enter Illinois because the Illinois sightings started right after the sightings in western Kentucky stopped.

Illinois does not have an established population of black bears but wildlife experts have said they expect that female bears from Missouri may one day make it to Illinois and start a breeding population in the Shawnee National Forest region.

If you see a black bear, the U.S. Forest Service offer these guidelines:

• Do not run. Remain calm, continue facing the bear and slowly back away.
• Keep children and pets close at hand.
• Never approach or corner a bear.
• Never offer food to a bear.
• Be aware of the presence of cubs and never come between a bear and its cubs.
• Fight back aggressively if a bear attacks you.

If you live an area with black bears, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers these tips:

• Secure food, garbage and recycling.
• Remove or limit use of bird feeders when bears are active.
• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
• Thoroughly clean and store grills and smokers after each use.
• Alert neighbors to bear activity.

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