Second attack in NW
A black bear attacked a mountain biker in Banner Forest Heritage Park in Olalla on Sunday while the 51-year-old man rode through the park with his two dogs.
The unidentified Port Orchard man was treated for arm, face, back, neck and ear wounds by paramedics and taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.
It's at least the second time in the Pacific Northwest this summer that a bear-mountain biker encounter has resulted in an attack. In July, a 31-year-old woman was mauled to death by a black bear at the Panorama Mountain Resort in eastern British Columbia.
Ron Powers, battalion chief for the South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, told the Seattle Times that the man was riding a trail in the park and the man's two dogs were ahead of him and started barking.
As he came around the curve, he came upon the bear. It scratched him, even though he was holding his bike in front of himself for protection. The man was able to ride awa when the attack stopped.
Another mountain biker said he had seen a bear with two cubs earlier in the day. The county sheriff's office was going to close the park, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife was going to hunt down the bear and kill it.
(Update: Sept. 4 — The victim told authorities that he was sure it wasn't the mother bear that attacked him. “It was on top of me and I'm sure it was a male bear,” the Times reported.)
(Update: Sept. 19 — Anthony Blasioli spoke at a press conference outside the park, recounting details of the attack. So far, the bear has not been caught.)
The park is in southern Kitsap, north of Gig Harbor and south of Port Orchard. Mountain biking is allowed on designated trails, and pets on leashes are allowed on designated trails.
If you mountain bike in remote areas, it's a good idea to review these tips for traveling in bear country at MountainNature.com:
1. Check for recent bear warning or closures;
2. Learn to recognize signs of bear activity;
3. Identify their seasonally preferred foods;
4. Make lots of noise;
5. Travel in large groups;
6. Stay alert;
7. Carry bear spray.
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