Troopers help bear cross I-72
‘Bruno’ heads south near Barry west of Springfield, aided by Illinois State Police, IDNR Conservation Police
A bear, nicknamed “Bruno” by Illinois State Police, crosses Interstate 72 Monday on its way south, near Barry between Springfield and Hannibal, Mo. (Facebook/Illinois State Police)
By Ted Cox
The errant black bear touring western Illinois crossed Interstate 72 west of Springfield Monday afternoon, aided by police who also gave him a new name: Bruno.
The Illinois State Police reported Monday: “Smokey the Bear ‘Bruno’ crossed I-72 at milepost 23 in Pike County (near Barry, Ill.) at approximately 3:05 p.m.” Troopers were shown warning approaching traffic in both directions from the shoulders, joined by Conservation Police with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The bear errant has charmed Illinois residents since straying south from Wisconsin earlier this month, briefly crossing into Iowa before returning across the Mississippi River just south of the Quad Cities. It ran afoul of a crowd estimated at 300 people on Father’s Day weekend in southern Henderson County, prompting IDNR to issue a release asking residents to “leave the black bear currently passing through western Illinois alone.”
That advice still stands. The State Police added Monday: “Please do not approach the black bear. He is a wild animal and we want to ensure he gets to his destination safely.”
IDNR added: “Remember, if you're in area and happen to see him, please give him plenty of space — it helps ensure the safety of the bear, law enforcement, staff, and the public.”
The department couldn’t resist a little humor in its Facebook post, querying Illinoisans: “Why did the black bear cross the road? Because the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and Illinois State Police helped him! Thanks, also, to the Pike County Illinois Sheriff's Department for helping IDNR staff get Illinois's visiting bear across the busy road.”
Earlier Sunday evening the department warned locals: “We know many of you want to get a glimpse or picture of him yourselves, but please remember to stay off private property and not to crowd the bear. Giving him plenty of room helps keep him, our staff, officers. and the public safe.
“As a wild animal, this bear is used to finding food and water on his own. Still, we know many of you are concerned with his health and we've reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for their help in ensuring he stays safe and can finish his trip through Illinois.”
The department has emphasized that American black bears, the smallest bears on the continent, are usually peaceful unless challenged and should be given a wide berth. They’re also protected, along with cougars and grey wolves, by a state law passed in 2015.
Wildlife Illinois reported: “The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has never released large carnivores in the state and has no plans to do so in the future. However, the agency will not act to impede the natural re-colonization of these species as they expand from existing populations in other states.” IDNR originally suggested the bear left Wisconsin looking for a mate and was likely to return there, although in actuality it has continued heading south inland from the Mississippi.
Where is the bear’s destination? Wildlife Illinois added that “research conducted at Southern Illinois University indicates that less than 15 percent of Illinois contains habitat that would support a small population of bears, wolves, or cougars. The Shawnee Forest in southern Illinois, habitat along the Illinois River in west-central Illinois, and a small swatch of land in northwest Illinois are the most likely areas where these animals would be able to establish territories. But because all three species are highly mobile and capable of traveling long distances, it is possible that traveling individuals may be observed in any part of the state.”
The bear would appear to be headed toward that area along the Illinois River.