Black bears are a natural part of Washington's wildlife and are occasionally seen in Bainbridge Island parks. While seeing a bear can be exciting, the best thing you can do is give it plenty of space.
If you encounter a black bear:
• Stay calm and do not run.
• Give the bear an escape route and slowly back away.
• Make yourself look large by standing tall and speaking in a calm, firm voice if the bear notices you.
• Keep children close and pets leashed.
• Never approach a bear for photos or feed wildlife.
Most black bears want nothing to do with people and will move away when given the opportunity. By respecting their space, we help keep both people and bears safe.
Please report black bear sightings to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Your report helps wildlife biologists track bear activity and respond appropriately if needed.
Report a black bear sighting or incident:
You can also view recent reported black bear sightings across Washington using WDFW's public incident map:
If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911. For non-emergency dangerous wildlife incidents, contact WDFW at 877-933-9847 or submit an online report through the link above.