Update: WDFW officers concluded their search Tuesday evening but did not locate either bear involved in the Mount Si incident. No additional search efforts are planned at this time.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has announced that the Mount Si, Little Si, and Mount Teneriffe trails will reopen Thursday, June 18, at 8 a.m. Bear awareness signage has been posted at trailheads throughout the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area.
Original story
According to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), at approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, WDFW Police received a call from Northeast King County Dispatch about an individual requesting aid following a black bear incident.
A group of hikers was approximately 2.7 miles up the Mt. Si trail at the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area when a black bear charged at them and swiped at one of the hikers. There are reports that a cub or cubs were present, but these have not been verified by the WDFW.
A teenage boy received scratches from the black bear. According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, a second teenager in the group injured their ankle while running away from the scene. Their injuries are said to be minor.
Multiple Fish and Wildlife Police Officers, along with King County Search and Rescue (KCSAR), responded to the scene. KCSAR transported the victim to receive aid, and he was then taken 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 resulting in documented injuries. 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’re naturally curious animals. If a bear approaches you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and speaking in a low voice.
Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Don’t 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 in 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.
For more information on living with black bears, go to: wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ursus-americanus#living
[Information provided by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)]
