Except for a small percentage, Illinois habitats are currently unable to sustain complete or large populations of these large mammals. The black bear, timber wolf, and cougar have all made cameo appearances in recent years and have been doing so for more than a decade. There are many reasons, scientific and unknown, why we are seeing the occasional apex predator in Illinois. Our cultural advancements and changes have escorted these wildlife species away from what used to be their native habitat. These animals are simply trying to adjust to changes in their current environments - which can send them our direction.