CLINTON COUNTY, IL — A black bear has made its way into the area and was spotted in southwestern Clinton County over the weekend.

According to the Mascoutah Herald, the animal was spotted near Route 177 on Clinton County Line Road Saturday. While its not clear where the bear is heading, many bears migrate from Wisconsin to Missouri through Illinois in the spring.

A black bear was also spotted outside a near Waterloo, Illinois last week. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, it’s working to capture the large bear, seen near Old Baum Church Road Thursday morning in the Chantilly Village area.

It is not clear if the bear sightings are related.

If you spot a bear in the area, the the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and conservation officers ask you to not feed, approach, shoot or otherwise harm the bear, do not leave dog or cat food outside and do not put trash cans out until the day of pickup. You should, however, dial 911 and advise them of the time and location of where the bear was spotted.

(picture above, courtesy of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Departement FB page from June 10th)