South Sound News

Mother bear, 3 cubs spotted near Bonney Lake school

BONNEY LAKE, Wash. — Bonney Lake police say a mother bear and three cubs were spotted in a homeowner’s backyard, not far from an elementary school early Wednesday.

A boy who lives at the home in the 10600 block of 189th Avenue East awoke about 4 a.m. when he heard the bears going through some garbage. His father went outside with a flashlight, saw the bears and called 911.

>>PHOTOS: Mother bear, 3 cubs seen in Bonney Lake

The mother bear was on a fence and the cubs were playing in the the backyard. The family says they watched the cubs wrestling with each other for about an hour before the bears wandered out of the yard.

At daylight, garbage was seen strewn around the yard and down a trail.

Fish and Wildlife officers have been called and the Fennel Creek Trail, which connects to Victor Falls Elementary School, has been closed.   The mother bear had been previously tagged by Fish and Wildlife.

Anyone who spots the bears is asked to call 911 to report their location.