ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WOWO): Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists today confirmed the presence of a wild black bear in northern Indiana after the bear walked in from Michigan.
 
The DNR received reliable reports earlier in the week of the wandering bear northwest of South Bend in St. Joseph County and made the confirmation after experts examined waste material submitted to the DNR and identified it as bear scat.
 
Although there have been occasional unconfirmed reports of bears in Indiana, this is the first verified presence of a bear in the state in more than 140 years.
 
Indiana DNR encourages citizens to report sightings of the bear to dfwinput@dnr.IN.gov or by calling (812) 334-1137 during regular business hours. Photos or videos can be sent to the same email address. The maximum file size is 15 MB.