Bear Sighting Near Pine Lake Middle School

Reports of a bear sighting on Issaquah Pine Lake Road near the Eastside Fire & Rescue Station No. 83 Thursday morning prompted school officials at Pine Lake Middle School to alert parents and send a safety tip reminder.

Here's the statement:

Please continually remind your children that they are in the presence of wildlife every time they walk to and from school or play outside their home. A community “sighting” is just a reminder that coyotes, cougars, bears, bobcats, and other animals ALWAYS live around our residences and schools. Here are safety tips to keep in front of your students and family year round.  

Students:

• Never make direct eye-contact with a threatening animal.
• Never turn and run away from a wild animal; slowly
  back away from the animal and make yourself appear as big as possible.
• Never feed or interact with any unknown animal.
• Report any unknown animal sighting to an adult.

Families:

• Keep garbage and compost piles securely covered.
• Keep pet food and water inside and keep pets
       indoors or confined in a kennel or covered exercise yard.
• Do not feed wildlife on the ground, keep wild bird
       seed in elevated feeders designed for birds, and clean up spilled seed
       from the ground.
• Do not feed feral cats; coyotes prey on the cats
       and feed on cat food left out for them.
• Minimize ground cover vegetation near children's
       play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that in turn
       attract predators.
• Use noise-making devices when coyotes are seen.
       Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances.

  Report a potentially dangerous wild animal to the Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife Dangerous Animal Hotline at 1-800-477-6224.  Call 911 for all emergencies.