When Bears Join the Running Club: A Seattle Woman’s Wild Encounter!

Imagine going for a jog in a popular Seattle park and running into… a bear. That’s exactly what happened to a brave woman who spotted a black bear while traversing the trails at Golden Gardens Park. While many runners might feel exhilarated at the chance of hitting personal records, this unexpected encounter is proof that not all cardio sessions are created equal. As if dodging traffic wasn’t enough excitement!

Becky Elder from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife chimed in, letting us know that while black bears are common in the state, an urban sighting in Ballard is about as rare as finding a unicorn at your local coffee shop. Bears often wander into city neighborhoods searching for food, especially in the spring and summer months after hibernation. Clearly, this bear was just trying to find a tasty snack—who can blame it for checking out the local scene?

The WDFW has shared some valuable tips for avoiding these hairy encounters. A little extra trash security, bringing pet food indoors, and cleaning up fallen fruit are just a few ways to keep our furry friends at bay. Remember: if you see a bear, you’re not supposed to run away. Instead, you’re encouraged to make yourself look big. Just think of it as a new workout routine—bear safety yoga, anyone?

So, what would you do if you ran into a bear on your favorite trail? Would you try to snap a selfie or just hope for a speedy getaway? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s hear those wild stories!

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