A woman was injured by a black bear at a rural residence outside Cusick in Pend Oreille County on Sunday, Oct. 18, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed. I read the agency’s official statement, which says officers received the report before 2 p.m. from a local hospital and the Washington State Patrol. The adult female was treated at a local hospital and then transferred to a Spokane facility.
What WDFW reported
WDFW officers are investigating the incident, and the agency has not yet released the bear’s fate or whether it was captured. Black bears are active in fall as they prepare for hibernation, and encounters can become more likely when natural food sources are scarce. Pend Oreille County is in northeastern Washington, an area with a healthy bear population.
What this means for homeowners in Washington
If you live near bear habitat, secure your trash and remove bird feeders and pet food from outdoors, especially during fall. If you encounter a bear, do not run; back away slowly and make yourself look large. The WDFW has guidance on living with bears on its site, and I also recommend checking our guide to the best wildlife repellents that actually work for deterrent options that can help keep bears at a distance.
The primary source for this story is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The notice is published by Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife at wdfw.wa.gov.
