Black bear spotted in St. James

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed that it has received “several” reports about a bear being spotted in St. James.

The St. James Police Department shared photos of a black bear in the area on Wednesday and Thursday.

A Department of Conservation spokeswoman told ABC 17 News in an email that Phelps County has had three bear sightings reported this year and it averages about six per year. There have been 40-50 bear sightings in the state so far this year, which the spokeswoman said is about the average for this time of year.

The Department of Conservation encourages people to remove any food sources (such as pet food, bird feeders and trash) that could draw an animal near populated areas.

If you see a black bear, stay a safe distance away from it, the Department of Conservation wrote.