Bellingham, Washington — A 12-year-old boy fought off a protective black bear after coming face to face with the animal in his family’s backyard, using a desperate move that he says may have saved his life.
Robin Westgate was retrieving a bowl from his family’s backyard fruit orchard Sunday night when he unexpectedly encountered a mama black bear protecting her cub.
The Bellingham youngster said he and the bear startled each other before the animal charged. What followed was a terrifying struggle that left the boy with puncture wounds and bruises but determined to defend himself.
“It Was Fight or Die”
Westgate said the encounter happened so quickly that he had little time to think about what was happening. The bear charged him twice and managed to bite his hip before grabbing onto his wrist.
“It was fight or die,” Westgate told. “I didn’t really have an option. [The bear] bit onto my wrist, and I slammed my hand and thumb into her eye.”
The move appeared to work. The boy managed to force the bear away during the struggle, giving himself an opportunity to escape the immediate danger.
Westgate had already received some instruction about what to do around bears because black bears are common in the area near his family’s home close to the Canadian border. That preparation became critical when the animal suddenly appeared in the backyard.
Mama Bear Then Charged His Father
The situation became even more frightening when the bear turned its attention toward Robin’s father, Noah Westgate. Rather than retreating, Noah said he experienced what he described as a “code red” moment and moved to protect his son. Strangely, he said he felt some relief when the bear came toward him because it meant he could focus on protecting Robin.
“Strange as it sounds, it was a feeling of relief to have her coming at me,” the father said, according to the publication.
Noah then confronted the animal himself. He recalled the moment the bear reached him as he delivered what he described as the hardest punch of his life.
“She crunches into my hand right at the moment that I land the hardest punch of my life,” he recalled.
The punch caused the bear to retreat.
Family Member Heard the Boy Crying for Help
The Westgate family believes the outcome could have been much worse if another family member had not heard what was happening.
Robin’s sister, Riverley, heard her brother’s cries for help and was able to respond.
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“I’m just glad that I was outside and heard him and that the injuries weren’t worse,” Riverley said.
Robin ultimately survived the encounter with injuries, but the experience left a lasting impression on him. He said the attack was terrifying, while also explaining that it changed his confidence in how he could respond during an emergency.
“The only thing that changed is now I know I can trust myself,” the brave youngster said.
Bear Remains at Large Near the Family’s Home
The danger has not completely disappeared for the Westgate family. The mama bear has returned to the area, and state wildlife workers were able to photograph the animal.
Officials have also set a trap in an effort to capture the bear, but it remained at large at the time of the report. The family is now taking additional precautions when spending time outside.
For the time being, the Westgates said they plan to carry bear spray in their backyard.
The family’s experience also highlights the increasing possibility of encounters between people and wildlife in areas where development has expanded into bear habitat.
Bear Encounters Can Increase Before Winter
Wildlife officials say bear attacks in Washington state are relatively uncommon, occurring less than once per year on average.
However, encounters between bears and people have become more noticeable in some communities as urban development expands into areas used by wildlife.
The risk can also increase during the period leading up to winter, when bears are focused on finding enough food to build up energy reserves before hibernation.
For the Westgate family, that seasonal behavior became a frightening reality in their own backyard. Despite everything that happened, Noah said he was proud of how his son responded when confronted by the animal.
“I’m a proud papa that my 12-year-old son stood his ground against a black bear,” Noah Westgate said.
What would you have done if a black bear suddenly charged at you in your own backyard? Share your reaction in the comments and let us know how you would handle such a terrifying encounter.
