A teenage hiker was attacked by a black bear and her cubs on a popular Washington trail Tuesday, leaving the student with claw marks and prompting authorities to close the path while they hunt for the animal.
The encounter happened around 12:45 p.m. on Mount Si Trail in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area, roughly 35 miles southeast of Seattle. Three basketball players from Thomas Jefferson High School were about 2.7 miles up the trail when they stumbled upon the mother bear and her offspring. The bear charged the group, and one teenager took a swipe from the animal's claws.
A second student twisted an ankle while fleeing the scene. Both injuries turned out to be manageable. "His injuries were very minor, but he was of course terrified," said Peter Linde, a King County Sheriff's Office deputy. "The bear tossed him around a little bit, but nothing serious." The scratched hiker was transported to a hospital for wound cleaning and antibiotics, then discharged by 9 p.m. that same evening.
Sara Autio, an information officer with King County Search and Rescue, noted that the teens handled the crisis reasonably well despite their inexperience. "As first-time hikers they did a lot right here, they hiked in a group, they had communications devices to be able to call 911 for help, and they cooperated with emergency responders," she said in a statement.
The danger on Mount Si did not end with that attack. A separate group of hikers reported being followed by a black bear for several miles on the same trail. Authorities shut down the path while searching for the animal responsible for the mauling. If found, wildlife officials said they would likely kill the bear, though relocation would be preferable if feasible.
Black bear encounters resulting in human injury remain rare in Washington. The state has recorded only 20 documented cases since 1970, with the most recent prior to this week occurring in 2022. A single human fatality from a black bear attack was recorded in 1974. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates approximately 22,000 black bears inhabit the state.
The agency recommends hikers make noise while on trails, keep pets leashed, and carry accessible bear spray. If confronted by a bear, officials advise standing upright, waving your arms, speaking in a low voice, and backing away without running or making direct eye contact.
Author James Rodriguez: "A close call on one of the region's most popular hikes serves as a stark reminder that even routine outdoor outings carry real wildlife risk, and that emergency preparedness can make the difference between a scary story and a tragedy."
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