Bear seen wandering around Arlington

Published 11:04 pm Tuesday, July 3, 2007

ARLINGTON – The bears are out and wandering.

The city received several calls Monday and Tuesday regarding sightings of a black bear in the southern part of the city, said Kristin Banfield, assistant city administrator.

Most of the sightings centered on a wooded area to the east of the Arlington Municipal Airport and adjacent to the Arlington Community Youth Center and Arlington Skate Park, Banfield said. Other sightings were reported in the Gleneagle neighborhood.

No one reported feeling threatened and it’s unclear if a bear or bears were seen in anyone’s yard, Banfield said.

The callers “just wanted to let us know they were out there,” she said.

In early June, a bear was reported seen near the Centennial Trail in the Machias area between Lake Stevens and Snohomish. In May, a bear was reported near Centennial Middle School. Earlier in the year, several bears were seen in the Granite Falls area.

Arlington police ask anyone who encounters a bear in the city to call 911.

Some tips from the National Forest Service to remember if you encounter a bear:

  • Bears tend to avoid people. In most cases, if you give a bear plenty of room it will move on.

  • Make your presence known. Make noise, talk or sing in a loud voice.

  • Make yourself seem bigger than you are by waving your arms or holding your coat high above your head.

  • Do not turn your back on the bear. Always keep the bear within your sight, but do not stare.

  • Do not run.

    Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.