Mama bear, two cubs seen roaming around Issaquah
Behind a high school, near a skate park and on the grounds of a local apartment complex, a family of black bears is getting a little too close for comfort.
They might be cute to look at, but wildlife experts say a sight like this calls for caution.
The mother bear and her two cubs have been captured on cell phone video at an apartment complex in Issaquah. They were first seen foraging for food near trash cans. Then two hours later, they were caught by KOMO News cameras, along the bike path behind Issaquah High School.
"There was, like, two cubs in the trees, and the mom was at the bottom," said witness Kelli Korenek. "It was really crazy. It was really scary."
It was scary for some, especially because of the kids that play nearby, but fascinating for others who saw the video of the unwanted visitors in their front yard.
"Dog was growling at the window - normally (she) doesn't do it," said resident Michael Peterson. "I'd had no idea until I saw the video."
The video suggests the bears are probably hungry, according to wildlife experts who say residents can help avoid the clash between Mother Nature and human nature by taking certain precautions.
A spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife say the trick is finding trash containers that seal or lock, making food tougher to find for some hungry bears.
"It was really scary," added Korenek. "The mom was staring at us, and grunting and stuff. We just kind of took off."
Even though the bears took off, officials say they won't be removing them anytime soon unless they're unusually aggressive. That's because bear hunting season starts in just a couple of days.
They might be cute to look at, but wildlife experts say a sight like this calls for caution.
The mother bear and her two cubs have been captured on cell phone video at an apartment complex in Issaquah. They were first seen foraging for food near trash cans. Then two hours later, they were caught by KOMO News cameras, along the bike path behind Issaquah High School.
"There was, like, two cubs in the trees, and the mom was at the bottom," said witness Kelli Korenek. "It was really crazy. It was really scary."
It was scary for some, especially because of the kids that play nearby, but fascinating for others who saw the video of the unwanted visitors in their front yard.
"Dog was growling at the window - normally (she) doesn't do it," said resident Michael Peterson. "I'd had no idea until I saw the video."
The video suggests the bears are probably hungry, according to wildlife experts who say residents can help avoid the clash between Mother Nature and human nature by taking certain precautions.
A spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife say the trick is finding trash containers that seal or lock, making food tougher to find for some hungry bears.
"It was really scary," added Korenek. "The mom was staring at us, and grunting and stuff. We just kind of took off."
Even though the bears took off, officials say they won't be removing them anytime soon unless they're unusually aggressive. That's because bear hunting season starts in just a couple of days.