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Indiana DNR Teaches Residents How To Deal With Wandering Black Bear

CHICAGO (STMW) -- Indiana state officials hosted a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss the black bear that has been wandering around northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan for the past four months.

Some who attended the meeting in xxx were curious about how to behave, should they encounter the bear.

Marie Moody, who lives in South Bend, near where the bear has been spotted, said she's worried because she often has her great grandson with her in the yard.

"I want to know what to do if we're in the yard playing," she said. "I want to find out what to do to protect him and myself."

Larry Robertson told WSBT-TV he has similar concerns.

"I'm just interested in hearing what they've got to say, and whether they're going to try and trap it and relocate," he said.

There have been at least 10 sightings of the bear this month alone in Michigan City, and the DNR's efforts to trap and relocate the bear have come close, but the young male has so far eluded capture.

Budd Verenka, an Indiana Department of Natural Resources officer and a bear expert, offered some advice for how to make the bear go away if it gets close.

"If you encounter a bear and you're not in your home make sure that you yell at the bear," he said. "You make yourself look big. You raise your arms above your head."

Verenka also advised fighting back and trying to hit the bear in the face if it attacks, which he said is unlikely.

Moody there is something fascinating about the first bear in the area in more than 140 years.

"We just need to learn that we have to live with nature," she said.

The bear has been seen between New Buffalo, Michigan, and Michigan City, Indiana, for the better part of the last four months.

The DNR has said it's possible the bear will hibernate near Michigan City. Black bears usually hibernate between late November and late December and biologists think it's not likely he'll go back home to Michigan this late in the year.

Another informational meeting about black bears has been scheduled for Thursday night, at the Michigan City Public Library from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

People are asked to preregister by calling 317-234-8440, or visit the Indiana DNR website by clicking here.

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