Beware of bears. Recent black bear sighting brings warnings for hikers and WA residents
Washington is known for great hiking trails and green forests, but there are animal neighbors out there as well.
In fact, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported a bear sighting on Tuesday, and as their employee escaped without a scratch, the encounter urged a warning to state residents to stay safe:
The post received many comments including bear sightings across the state and warnings from residents including photos of bears in their windows, backyards and local parks.
There are approximately 25,000 black bears across Washington state, according to Western Wildlife Outreach, an organization aimed to educate the community on wildlife in the western part of the U.S.
As bears’ habitats are being developed into new housing or retail opportunities for humans, encounters between the two species continue to occur in Washington state. Bears are not highly likely to attack a human, but instead perform actions like standing on their legs or bluff charges that can scare humans, according to the organization.
What should I do if I see a black bear?
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife urges you to follow these steps if you encounter a black bear:
▪ Stop and remain calm.
▪ Assess the situation. If the bear doesn’t see you, try to quietly and slowly leave the area. If you cannot leave or the bear sees you, stand up, talk to the bear in a low voice, wave your hands. If the bear comes closer try to scare it away by stomping your feet, clapping your hands, waving your arms, standing together in a group and staring the bear in the eyes.
▪ Do not throw anything at the bear.
▪ Do not run from the bear.
▪ Use bear spray if you have it and the bear comes too close to you.
The National Park Service also offers safety tips when you encounter a bear and how to avoid attracting them:
▪ Pick up children immediately.
▪ If the bear sees you, make yourself look as large as possible and identify yourself by waving your arms.
▪ Do not drop your pack as it can be used as a shield if a bear attacks.
▪ Do not leave food out for bears.
▪ Do not climb trees or run away from bears.
▪ Leave the area.
You can tell us below if you’ve encountered a bear in Washington, and what your experience was. If you’re having trouble accessing the polls on our app, here’s the link to the story on your browser.
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Beware of bears. Recent black bear sighting brings warnings for hikers and WA residents."
