Cheryl Balensiefen took these photos of a bear just southwest of Buda in Macon Township on Dec. 30 while her husband Kent drove. Originally, I gave credit to Kent, but after a nice chat with him this morning, I clarified that.
It is apparently the same bear reported in Bureau County since June.
The basic question remains unanswered: Is it a wild bear? My guess is yes, because of the length of time it was reported. Kent thought it was wild because of the way it survived and acted--avoiding buildings and people.
For years, I have said it makes sense for black bears to be the first of the big three--bears, wolves or mountain lions--to truly establish a base other than roving young males passing through.
Even around Chicago the roving young males have already happened for cougar, famously on the North Side, and for wolves with the one killed by a vehicle near Chain O'Lakes State Park.
Bears, apparently, are no longer extinct in Illinois, much like the cougar, wolf and armidillo.
It would be interesting to get a DNA sample from the bear to determine its origin and hopefully how it got here if it is indeed wild. I would guess the closest black bear population would be Wisconsin.
Those are the questions that most interest me. Is it wild? And where did it come from?
Kent thought it was wild from the way it acted.
Wow, I thought we only had black bears in Atlanta ! Anyhow cute photo courtesy of my big sister from LaSalle. Hey, if ya'll get sick of the snow, send it down here. Atlanta totally closes down cause we cannot drive in it.
I truly think bears in Illinois need to be protected. They were once native to Illinois and are native to many cities in other states with no problems. I would love to see them make a comeback as the wild turkey and bald eagle have done!
I think the Bear is probably wild. Wisconsin is not too far away from where it is living. I wonder if there is some way the bear can be protected.
I think the Bear is probably wild. Wisconsin is not too far away from where it is living. I wonder if there is some way the bear can be protected.
The last big bear they caught in Atlanta off 85 North is standing in the Bass Pro Stores on display. It is quite huge, would not want to run into it on a dark night ! Actually we have alot of cougars roaming around, one sleeps at night under my neighbors trampoline, just makes himself right at home and does not bother anyone.