BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is searching for a bear after a man and a child were injured during a recent encounter near Lake Whatcom.
The encounter occurred near the Y-road trailhead, located northeast of the lake.
The incident marks the second bear encounter reported in the same area in less than a month. In response to growing concern, WDFW has stepped up patrols around the trailhead, which has been close to the two attacks in mid-August and this past weekend.
The agency said it deployed search efforts to locate and capture the bear responsible for injuring the two people.
Near the Y-Road Trailhead Thursday, there was consistent traffic of hikers, bikers, and dog walkers still eager to use the trail, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees and clear skies across Bellingham.
Bellingham resident Benjie Howard frequently uses the trails around Lake Whatcom to ride his bike and walk his dog, Josey.
He spoke to KIRO 7 and expressed surprise at the recent cluster of encounters.
“I mean, we’re in nature, but it is concerning because we haven’t heard that recently or in the past – two in a month sounds like a lot?-- That’s a lot, I would say. Wouldn’t you?” Howard said.
While Howard noted that seeing wildlife in less developed parts of Whatcom County comes with outdoor recreation, he emphasized remaining cautious on local trail networks. “I’ve seen bear up here, I’ve seen lions, I’ve never seen a lion up here (Y-road trailhead) – but I’ve seen them up at Galbraith and places like that, I’ve seen bobcats; it’s just part of being out in nature and being prepared,” Howard said.
The previous incident occurred in mid-August when a woman out for a Saturday morning run near the Y-road trailhead was chased and charged by a bear. The bear tackled her into blackberry bushes before a group of people on horseback arrived and found her.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, black bears become significantly more active during the fall as they forage for food to prepare for winter hibernation. During this period, bears are frequently drawn toward human environments, attracted by garbage cans, pet food, livestock, and other accessible food sources. The agency urges people to be mindful of bear behavior.
In an email to KIRO, the department said it was not aware of Black Bear activity in the area, and as of Tuesday, efforts to trap the bear had been unsuccessful. WDFW said it will continue to monitor the area with increased patrols.
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