Investigation Updates: Was a Black Bear Sighted?

UPDATES as of 9.27.2025.

September 22, 2025 - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources arrived in Pembroke Township to investigate the reports of black bear sightings in the community. They collected these photos to compare with the Ring Doorbell camera photos presented by Lillian Spencer: (See original article, Was a Black Bear Sighted in Pembroke-Hopkins Park?)

Top Pictures: Lillian Spencer's Ring Doorbell camera photos

Bottom Pictures: IDNR photos taken during investigation

They also visited the home of Jamilia Campbell and found no signs of a large animal the size of a black bear, such as claw scrapings on the trees that would have created a pathway through the woods, no bear footprints, and no hairs left behind to indicate a passage.

They later viewed what was thought to be an animal or bear footprint (see the picture below), taken by Jamilia, near the site of the sighting. The ‘footprint’ was larger than a male size 10. However, a bear's rear foot is only 7 inches long. Matt Hunsaker with IDNR remarked on the picture as some form of soil disturbance, but it was unclear if it was genuinely a footprint.

Picture of suspected bear's footprint found in her woods taken by Jamilia Campbell.

After the investigation, IDNR determined that the evidence presented and collected does not prove that the animal sightings by these eyewitnesses were a black bear.

Thank you, IDNR, for following through and investigating our concerns.

Black bear sightings are rare, but not unheard of in Illinois | NPR Illinois. So stay vigilant and watchful!

Update: Chickpea did return unharmed.