A bear spotted in southern Indiana earlier this week may be moving north.
The Washington County Sheriff confirms a bear sighting near Pekin, Indiana. A woman posted a picture of the bear in a cornfield to Facebook and the sheriff's department says it has been seen by several other people in the area.
A black bear was spotted near Corydon in Harrison County on Sunday. Conservation officers believe the bear swam across the Ohio River from Kentucky into southern Indiana.
It is not confirmed if the bear seen in Pekin, about 27 miles north of Corydon, is the same bear, though the size and markings appear to be similar.
Officials are reminding residents to keep their distance from the bear and not leave food out that may attract a bear. Other tips:
- Don't intentionally feed bears. If a bear becomes accustomed to finding food near your home, it may become a "problem" bear.
- Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed.
- Clean and store grills away after use.
- Don't leave pet food outside overnight.
- Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November.
- Don't add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
- If encountering a bear, don't run. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly.
- Collect and remove low-hanging or fallen fruit from fruit trees.
- Eliminate meat, cooking oil, fish or fruit odors from near your home. This includes fish-meal fertilizers.
- Collect and remove any ripened vegetables from your garden.
If you spot a bear, call 812-334-1137 during business hours or email dfwinput@dnr.IN.gov. Photos and videos up to 15 MB in size can be attached to the email. Officers will then monitor the bear to determine if it should stay where it is, or relocated to a more suitable environment.
"It's best if people just leave the bear alone and let it be a part of the natural environment," said Josh Griffin of the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.
