How Wildlife Officials Classify a Bear Attack to Decide Its Fate

After a black bear injured two teenagers on Mount Si near Seattle on June 16, Washington wildlife officials closed the trail network to search for the animal. Their investigation hinges on determining whether the bear was defending itself, habituated to human food, or acting predatory. Each classification carries different consequences—defensive encounters rarely trigger lethal removal, while food-conditioned or predatory bears typically face it. The distinction shapes how agencies manage high-traffic recreation areas adjacent to bear habitat.