At approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, WDFW Police received a call from Northeast King County Dispatch of an individual requesting aid as a result of a black bear incident. Three hikers were approximately 2.7 miles up the Mt. Si trail at Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area when a black bear charged the group and swiped at one of the hikers. A teenage boy received scratches from the black bear. Multiple Fish and Wildlife Police officers along with King County Search and Rescue (KCSAR) responded to the scene. KCSAR transported the victim out to receive aid, and he was transported to a local hospital.
A second group of hikers reported that they were followed closely by a black bear for several miles. The trail was cleared and will remain closed while Fish and Wildlife officers attempt to locate the animal.
In Washington state, the only recorded fatal black bear attack on a human was reported in 1974. Since 1970, state authorities have recorded approximately 20 human-black bear encounters that resulted in a documented injury. The most recent was in 2022.
WDFW officials offer the following advice to minimize the risk of injury if a bear is encountered in the wild:
In general, bears avoid people, but they are naturally curious animals. If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice.
Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Do not run from a bear. WDFW recommends making noise and leashing pets while hiking. Be aware of your surroundings so as not to accidentally startle a bear. While recreating, WDFW recommends carrying bear spray that is readily accessible and knowing how to use it. More information on how to use bear spray is available on WDFW's blog.
Black bears are common throughout Washington — including in suburban areas — except the interior of the arid Columbia Basin. Based on the latest data, WDFW estimates that there are approximately 22,000 black bears in Washington across all land ownerships. This estimate accounts for all ages of black bears, including cubs.
This content is sourced from
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
