Man and child injured in black bear encounter near Bellingham

A man and child were injured during an encounter with a black bear near Bellingham over the weekend, according to Washington wildlife officials.

The encounter happened the evening of Sept. 13 on residential property north of Lake Whatcom. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment.

A man and child were treated at a hospital after encountering a bear Sunday evening on residential property north of Lake Whatcom, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wildlife officers are now monitoring the area and attempting to locate the bear.

What do wildlife officials know about the encounter?

WDFW learned about the incident Sept. 14 and issued an alert the next day.

“On Monday, Sept. 14 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Officers received a report of a human-black bear incident that occurred the evening prior on the property of a residence outside of Bellingham in Whatcom County,” the department said in a press release. “An adult male and a minor child sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital.”

Details about what led to the encounter and the extent of the injuries have not been released.

WDFW placed a trap on the property following the incident. The trap had not captured a bear as of Wednesday and was expected to remain in place for several more days.

WDFW spokesperson Becky Elder also told the Seattle Times that a second bear was reportedly seen at the property. Officials did not know whether either animal was a cub.

Have there been other bear encounters near Lake Whatcom?

The incident comes about a month after a woman reported being chased by a bear while hiking with her leashed dog north of Lake Whatcom.

WDFW officers responded to that encounter Aug. 15 and searched the forested area but were unable to find the bear.

Another encounter in the area occurred in August 2022, when a black bear attacked a jogger on a trail north of Lake Whatcom. The jogger suffered injuries to his hands and feet.

Wildlife officers later located and killed an adult black bear near the site of the 2022 attack.

Black bear attacks on people are uncommon in Washington. The state’s only recorded fatal black bear attack occurred in 1974, according to WDFW.

What should you do if you encounter a black bear?

WDFW says black bears generally avoid people, although they can be curious.

If a bear approaches, wildlife officials recommend standing up, raising your hands above your head, and speaking in a low voice to identify yourself as a person.

People should slowly back away without making direct eye contact and should not run.

WDFW also recommends making noise while hiking, keeping pets leashed, staying aware of your surroundings, and carrying bear spray in areas where bears may be present.