A backyard nightmare
Imagine heading out to your backyard fruit orchard for a quick errand, only to come face-to-face with a massive mama black bear. For 12-year-old Robin Westgate, that terrifying scenario became reality this past Sunday night in Bellingham, Washington.
Robin and the bear startled each other, but the situation escalated instantly. The bear, protecting her cub, charged at the kid twice, leaving him with puncture wounds on his hip. Real talk: it’s giving major survival mode. "It was fight or die," Robin said. "I didn’t really have an option. [The bear] bit onto my wrist, and I slammed my hand and thumb into her eye."
Family to the rescue
The plot thickens when the bear turned her attention toward Robin's dad, Noah. Rather than backing down, Noah went into "code red" mode. He jumped in to protect his son, landing a massive punch on the bear at the exact moment she bit into his hand.
Robin's sister, Riverley, heard the commotion and alerted the family, helping ensure the situation didn't end in a total tragedy. Thankfully, while Robin is battered and bruised, he’s doing okay. "The only thing that changed is now I know I can trust myself," the youngster said. Wildlife officials have since spotted the bear again in the area, so the family is now keeping bear spray on hand for their backyard.
Why it matters
While bear attacks in Washington state are super rare—happening less than once a year—urban sprawl is causing more encounters as bears try to fatten up before winter hibernation. This was an absolute W for the Westgate family, but it’s a reminder that nature can be highkey unpredictable.
