• If you see a bear in Indiana, do report it to the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife at 812-334-1137 or via email: dfwinput@dnr.in.gov .

• Don't climb a tree, but wait in a building or vehicle for a bear to leave the area.

• Do clean and store grills when not in use.

At a workshop Wednesday night at the St. Joseph County Public Library in downtown South Bend, Megan Dillon, an urban wildlife biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, discusses a black bear that has moved into Indiana from Michigan. SBT Photo/MARGARET FOSMOE

At a workshop Wednesday night at the St. Joseph County Public Library in downtown South Bend, Megan Dillon, an urban wildlife biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, discusses a black bear that has moved into Indiana from Michigan. SBT Photo/MARGARET FOSMOE

The black bear that visited Michiana over the summer was caught on camera in the Michigan City area in mid-July. Although it was thought the bear was headed back north, conserva­tion officials are no longer sure. Photo courtesy Indi­ana Department of Natural Resources

SOUTH BEND — One lone black bear has been roaming northern Indiana since June, but Hoosiers should get used to the idea that more bears may follow.

And Indiana residents need to be smart about black bears and their habits in order to protect themselves, their property and the bears, according to Budd Veverka and Megan Dillon, wildlife biologists with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

"The search for food dominates the life of a bear," Ververka said during a presentation Wednesday night to educate the public about black bears. The event was held at the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend.

Bears will raid bird feeders, trash cans, grills, pet food, honey combs and anything else edible that is left outdoors, he said.

The bear that has captivated public attention first entered Indiana from Michigan on June 6 near Mud Lake and Elbel Golf Course in northwestern St. Joseph County, Ververka said. After that, he moved west and there have been more than 50 reported sightings of him near Michigan City and just north of the Michigan state line. Two more sightings occurred Wednesday near Michigan City, and it is likely the bear plans to stay here for the winter and hibernate, the scientists said.

As bear populations in neighboring states increase, it's likely that more black bears will be seen in Indiana, Veverka said.

Before this summer, it had been 144 years since a black bear had been reported in Indiana. They used to be native to the state, but were eliminated because of hunting and cutting down of forests.