A teenage hiker was scratched by a black bear during an encounter in a mountainous recreation area outside Seattle on Tuesday, according to local officials. The incident prompted the closure of the popular Mount Si trail where it occurred, as authorities search for the animal.
The event unfolded around 12:45pm when a group of three basketball players from Thomas Jefferson High School were approximately 4.4km up the Mount Si trail, within the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area. They encountered a mother bear accompanied by her cubs. The conservation area, situated about 56km south-east of Seattle, is known for its four mountain peaks.
The mother bear reportedly charged the group, making contact with one of the teenagers. The individual sustained minor scratches and was described as 'terrified' by Peter Linde, a King County Sheriff's Office deputy. Another teenager in the group also injured their ankle while attempting to flee. The injured teen was taken to hospital for examination and treatment, including wound cleaning and potential antibiotics, and was discharged later that evening.
Following the incident, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) received a report from a second group of hikers who stated they had been followed by a black bear for several miles on the same trail. Consequently, officials closed the trail as they initiated a search for the bear. While relocating the animal is considered the least harmful outcome, officials have indicated that the bear may need to be euthanised if it is located, due to its aggressive behaviour towards humans.
King County search and rescue information officer, Sara Autio, commended the students for their actions, noting they hiked in a group, carried communication devices to call for help, and cooperated with emergency responders. She stated, "We are grateful to have played a role in bringing these students home, I’m sure they didn’t expect this to be the way their day unfolded, but as first-time hikers they did a lot right here."
Black bear attacks resulting in human injury are rare in Washington State. Since 1970, the WDFW has recorded 20 black bear encounters with humans that led to documented injuries, with the most recent prior case in 2022. The only recorded human fatality from a black bear in Washington occurred in 1974. The agency estimates there are approximately 22,000 black bears across the state and advises hikers to make noise, leash pets, be aware of surroundings, and carry bear spray to minimise risk during encounters.