Hibernating bear found in Illinois county

NEPONSET -- Authorities say a black bear found hibernating in a drainage ditch near the Bureau County town of Neponset was successfully tranquilized and taken to a rehabilitation center in southern Illinois.

Sgt. Robert Frazier of the Illinois Conservation Police says the bear caught Tuesday was probably the one reported and photographed by residents earlier this winter in western Bureau County. Frazier says the bear was spotted by a farmer who was riding a four-wheeler through a field. The farmer then called authorities.

Four conservation officers joined two employees from Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley to tranquilize the slumbering bear, and then transported it to the rehabilitation center Tuesday night.