Bear and cub roam Lynnwood area, elude human pursuers

LYNNWOOD — A black bear and her cub spotted near Lynnwood evaded search crews for several hours Tuesday.

The bears were first seen near the 2900 block of 196th Street SW in the late morning. Lynnwood police and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the animals for more than three hours.

The bears became separated early on. The mother ran on to the football field at Alderwood Middle School, Lynnwood police Cmdr. Sean Doty said. Kids who were there for a YMCA activity were ushered inside by police officers.

One of the bears found reporters. It came within feet of television crews.

The mother ran through back yards along 204th Street SW.

“It would hop fences like it was nothing,” Doty said.

Fish and Wildlife sent a dog to look for the bears, but was unable to find any. The mother had run into a wooded area southwest of the Alderwood mall.

“I would guess it’s still in there,” said Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad with Fish and Wildlife. “It’s a nice, cool spot.”

Doty believes the cub will hunker down until its mother returns.

Anyone who sees the bears is asked to call 911.