A Washington state preteen jammed his thumbs in the eyes of a mama black bear during a horrific attack.
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The Black Bear Was Protecting Her Cub
As reported by the New York Post, Robin Westgate was shocked to encounter the protective mama black bear in his backyard on Sunday, Sept. 13. The 12-year-old from Bellingham said that he "and the bear startled each other."
That's when the black bear charged at him twice, clawing his side and leaving puncture wounds on the child's hip.
As black bears are common in the Bellingham area, Westgate already knew what to do if he encountered one.
"It was fight or die," Westgate said. "I didn't really have an option. [The bear] bit onto my wrist, and I slammed my hand and thumb into her eye."
The black bear then charged toward Westgate's dad, Noah. That's when the father's instincts kicked in, and he punched the animal.
"She crunches into my hand right at the moment that I land the hardest punch of my life," Noah said.
The bear then ran away.
Westgate Called the Encounter 'Terrifying'
The preteen called the encounter terrifying but said the experience gave him new confidence in himself.
"The only thing that changed is now I know I can trust myself," he said.
Things could have gone very differently if Westgate's younger sister, Riverley, had not heard her brother's cries for help and run to get their father.
"I'm just glad that I was outside and heard him and that the injuries weren't worse," she said.
"I'm a proud papa that my 12-year-old son stood his ground against a black bear," Noah added.
The mama bear has since returned to the area. State wildlife workers photographed the animal and set a trap, but they have not yet captured it.
Wildlife officials say black bear attacks in Washington state average less than one per year. However, encounters can increase during this time of year as bears fatten up before winter hibernation.
