Black Bear Attacked Youth Near Lake Whatcom
A 12-year-old boy and his father fought off a mother black bear defending her cub in their backyard.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Wildlife
A 12-year-old boy sustained puncture wounds near his hip after a mother black bear lunged at him twice in his Bellingham backyard. The boy and his father physically fought the animal, which was defending a nearby cub, before it retreated.
Why it matters
Wildlife officials note that bears are currently foraging aggressively to build fat reserves for winter hibernation. This behavior can increase the frequency of human-wildlife encounters in areas near natural habitats like Lake Whatcom.
State wildlife workers have photographed the bear but have not yet succeeded in capturing it. The victim, a 12-year-old, suffered puncture wounds from bear claws during the double-lunge encounter.
The players
Robin Westgate
He is the 12-year-old boy who successfully defended himself during the bear encounter in his backyard.
The details
The victim, Robin Westgate, jabbed the bear in the eye and punched it after the animal attacked him near the north end of Lake Whatcom. His father intervened and also engaged in a physical altercation with the bear, suffering a bite to his hand during the confrontation.
Timeline
The attack occurred on September 13, 2026.
Culture Shift
This incident highlights a shift in seasonal wildlife movement as bears become more active near residential areas. The encounter follows a pattern of heightened activity documented in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife annual bear-human conflict report.
Residents near Lake Whatcom should remain vigilant and secure potential food sources that may attract bears. Experts advise that minimizing attractants is a critical step in preventing future encounters in the community.
The takeaway
Wildlife experts emphasize that bears focused on pre-hibernation feeding can be unpredictable when defending cubs. Homeowners should avoid leaving trash or pet food outside to reduce the likelihood of attracting bears to residential yards.
Further reading
Learn more about local wildlife safety and seasonal behavior on the Wildlife section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Internewscast Journal.
