COLVILLE, Wash. (AP) — Washington state Fish and Wildlife officers are looking for a black bear reported to have attacked a 36-year-old woman jogging in the Colville National Forest of northeast Washington.
The Stevens County sheriff’s office says the woman was attacked Thursday on a trail between Thomas and Gillette lakes, 17 miles northeast of Colville. She reportedly dropped to the ground in a protective fetal position, the bear batted at her and then left. She was treated at a Colville hospital and released.
State wildlife officers are working with Forest Service staff to investigate the scene and place bear traps. Wildlife Capt. Chris Anderson says if officers find a bear and determine it was the animal involved, it will be euthanized.
He says historical records show five other bear attacks on humans and one reported fatality in Washington. The state has an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 black bears.
