IDNR responds to picture of trapped black bear         

[NOV. 30, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Over the past several weeks, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been contacted about an e-mail that depicts a large black bear trapped under a combine in a corn field. The Department of Natural Resources believes the e-mail is a hoax and did not occur in the state of Illinois.

Details of the e-mail vary, including the location of the incident, which has been identified from Wisconsin to rural Illinois. This e-mail has been widely circulated to the public as well as the news media. The e-mail does not specifically mention the Illinois Department of Natural Resources but does refer to "DNR" as the agency contacted about this alleged incident.

The public is reminded to please contact the Department of Natural Resources with any questions related to natural resources issues, including wild animals.

"The duty of the IDNR Conservation Police is to be guardians of the state's natural resources, and we take that duty very seriously," said Rafael Gutierrez, acting director of the IDNR Conservation Police. "When the public is made aware of issues of this kind, they are encouraged to contact the department for recommendations and/or assistance."

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]