anyone following the black bear situation in south lake Tahoe?

[blion72]

+500# black bear is breaking into homes, and has attached a couple people. seems to be a controversy as to what to do with the bear. Cal Fish & Game says that euthanizing is the only option. amazing resistance to what would seem logical.

PA has a very high beat population, so what would happen in SC if you had something like this? I assume one of the people who had their house broken into would have shot it already.

 

[Woodpecker]

PA has a very high beat population, so what would happen in SC if you had something like this? I assume one of the people who had their house broken into would have shot it already.

 

[TiogaLion]

+500# black bear is breaking into homes, and has attached a couple people. seems to be a controversy as to what to do with the bear. Cal Fish & Game says that euthanizing is the only option. amazing resistance to what would seem logical.

PA has a very high beat population, so what would happen in SC if you had something like this? I assume one of the people who had their house broken into would have shot it already.

Those people in California are funny like that. I heard they won't shoot attacking eagles either.

 

[step.eng69]

Those people in California are funny like that. I heard they won't shoot attacking eagles either.

Tioga,
Are you the poster that was grilling (several yrs ago) and attacked by a bluebird and thought it was a hawk and took a couple shots at the flying bird?

 

[TiogaLion]

Tioga,
Are you the poster that was grilling (several yrs ago) and attacked by a bluebird and thought it was a hawk and took a couple shots at the flying bird?

No, the OP is though. That was hilarious.

 

[NittPicker]

I've read articles which report the plan is to kill the bear. The same articles go on to read the situation could have been avoided if residents stored food and trash properly. So the easy way out is to kill the bear because people don't know the proper way to interact with wildlife.

And it wouldn't actually be euthanasia which implies it's being done for the bear's own good. Or maybe it has rabies, I don't know. If they kill it, it'll be for the good of the people who caused the problem in the first place.

 

[Garw]

I’m rooting for the Bear.

 

[NewEra 2014]

It sounds similar to the cougar situation in north Scottsdale.

 

[OhioLion]

It sounds similar to the cougar situation in north Scottsdale.

Flag!! No picture??
oops. My bad; wrong cougar.

OL

 

[rudedude]

A bear close to California , why would you want to kill Big Al?

 

[WDLion]

+500# black bear is breaking into homes, and has attached a couple people. seems to be a controversy as to what to do with the bear. Cal Fish & Game says that euthanizing is the only option. amazing resistance to what would seem logical.

PA has a very high beat population, so what would happen in SC if you had something like this? I assume one of the people who had their house broken into would have shot it already.

They would dart the bear and haul him off to Poe Valley.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

It sounds similar to the cougar situation in north Scottsdale.

I’ve heard good things!

 

[PSUJam]

Those people in California are funny like that. I heard they won't shoot attacking eagles either.

 

[step.eng69]

I’ve heard good things!

Me also,
Heard the cougars are going with a hairless body this yr.

 

[step.eng69]

It sounds similar to the cougar situation in north Scottsdale.

 

[Nitt1300]

I’m rooting for the Bear.

Bears > People

 

[step.eng69]

Polar bears...?

Is a polar bear friendly?
Occasionally… offering food is a good way to make it friendly! 4 legged animals, generally don't bite the hand that feeds them.. on the contrary with some other species..
A rare occurrence, back in the 50s! Must have been so much fun for everyone!

Mother bear did not consider the human as a threat.. let him play with her baby!

And it seems happy to do so!

The men were brave enough I think!

These two too!

These pictures always make me smile!

 

[LafayetteBear]

They have a very pro-bear organization called the Bear League that is active in the Tahoe Basin. According to a news report I read this morning, no final decision has been made about what to do with this bear. First, they have to catch it. Easier said than done.

The Tahoe Basin has the highest density of black bears in the world. Plenty of trash cans and homes to which they can break in. My home was broken into twice a few years back. They eventually had to euthanize the bear in question. He was breaking into all kinds of houses, had been previously tagged and hauled to a remote location, and then came back. Sad.

 

[northwoods]

I've read articles which report the plan is to kill the bear. The same articles go on to read the situation could have been avoided if residents stored food and trash properly. So the easy way out is to kill the bear because people don't know the proper way to interact with wildlife.

And it wouldn't actually be euthanasia which implies it's being done for the bear's own good. Or maybe it has rabies, I don't know. If they kill it, it'll be for the good of the people who caused the problem in the first place.

Unfortunately, animals often end up paying for the stupidity of humans.

 

[husky]

They have a very pro-bear organization called the Bear League that is active in the Tahoe Basin. According to a news report I read this morning, no final decision has been made about what to do with this bear. First, they have to catch it. Easier said than done.

The Tahoe Basin has the highest density of black bears in the world. Plenty of trash cans and homes to which they can break in. My home was broken into twice a few years back. They eventually had to euthanize the bear in question. He was breaking into all kinds of houses, had been previously tagged and hauled to a remote location, and then came back. Sad.

I wonder what a reasonable solution would look like. Should humans be required to keep their trash in the garage or some other out house? Should zoning laws be tightened to restrict housing too close to where bears range?

Related question, I guess, but don't the bears in Lake Tahoe area hibernate? When we were in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone last May, the bears were just coming out of hibernation, and we were told to be careful of bear activity.

 

[step.eng69]

Related question, I guess, but don't the bears in Lake Tahoe area hibernate? When we were in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone last May, the bears were just coming out of hibernation, and we were told to be careful of bear activity.

This should answer your question, Husky,
Interesting report. On a nice day, it’s not uncommon for black bear in my area (NEPA) to come out during the winter.

Warmer weather is not waking up hibernating bears, says one expert. But there is something that could be -- and the pandemic made the problem a LOT worse. - https://abc7news.com/pets-animals/v...t-wake-up-call-about-climate-change/11550160/

 

[PSUJam]

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

This should answer your question, Husky,
Interesting report. On a nice day, it’s not uncommon for black bear in my area (NEPA) to come out during the winter.

Warmer weather is not waking up hibernating bears, says one expert. But there is something that could be -- and the pandemic made the problem a LOT worse. - https://abc7news.com/pets-animals/v...t-wake-up-call-about-climate-change/11550160/

Buddy of mine showed me 3 bears in Wyoming County having a blast with a bale of hay last Friday....

 

[Bvillebaron]

I've read articles which report the plan is to kill the bear. The same articles go on to read the situation could have been avoided if residents stored food and trash properly. So the easy way out is to kill the bear because people don't know the proper way to interact with wildlife.

And it wouldn't actually be euthanasia which implies it's being done for the bear's own good. Or maybe it has rabies, I don't know. If they kill it, it'll be for the good of the people who caused the problem in the first place.

Do they have a Game Commission in California? If so, why don't they just tranquilize it and take it somewhere else?

 

[91Joe95]

Do they have a Game Commission in California? If so, why don't they just tranquilize it and take it somewhere else?

It's in a sanctuary city.

 

[pamdlion]

Big Bear!! Get off you …

 

[[email protected]]

that bear looks much more than 500 pounds

 

[PSUJam]

that bear looks much more than 500 pounds

Yeah that's not a 500 pounder. Here's a pic of one my friend got on his trail cam in 2020 in NEPA on a property neighboring mine.

 

[BW Lion]

Yeah that's not a 500 pounder. Here's a pic of one my friend got on his trail cam in 2020 in NEPA on a property neighboring mine.

View attachment 184053

Let’s play guess the weight.

I’m going to open at 700#.

 

[bbrown]

Do they have a Game Commission in California? If so, why don't they just tranquilize it and take it somewhere else?

If what I read was accurate they tried that and he just keeps coming back. I'm hoping he ends up at some type of animal habitat. Certainly beats the alternative.

 

[PhillyBillyReprise]

Have you seen the pilot for the new National Geographic Chanel show “My 600 Pound Bear Life”? The bear has to lose 100 pounds before the doctor will do Laparoscopy surgery.

 

[Night Raven]

Does Hank play Guard ?

 

[Midnighter]

 

[LafayetteBear]

I wonder what a reasonable solution would look like. Should humans be required to keep their trash in the garage or some other out house? Should zoning laws be tightened to restrict housing too close to where bears range?

Related question, I guess, but don't the bears in Lake Tahoe area hibernate? When we were in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone last May, the bears were just coming out of hibernation, and we were told to be careful of bear activity.

The common interest development in which my Tahoe place is located utilizes dumpsters that are equipped with sturdy chains to keep the bears out. Owners are pretty good at keeping them chained, when someone forgets, there is invariably a mess the next morning. The bears are indefatigable foragers. It's when a given bear commences breaking into homes that he or she become a serious risk to both humans and himself or herself.

In answer to your question, bears in the Tahoe Basin generally don't hibernate. There is just too much food available to them, largely in the form of garbage. I have not seen a prototypical garbage can up there in years (everyone understands the need for bear-proof trash receptacles). But keeping them securely closed (whether by chains, latches or other means, is an ongoing battle. The other thing that reduces hibernation is when we have winter droughts (i.e., little or no snow, like we are having now). Bears tend to hibernate when the snow accumulates in sufficient quantity to make foraging for food really difficult. That has not been the case in Tahoe since the winter of 2017

 

[LafayetteBear]

Do they have a Game Commission in California? If so, why don't they just tranquilize it and take it somewhere else?

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is the relevant regulatory agency. And yes, they trap and remove bears, and also issue "Depredation Permits" (i.e., permits to kill bears) when the circumstances warrant it. But killing bears is wildly unpopular unless the bear n question has shown that it poses a risk because it keeps invading homes or otherwise foraging for garbage. The Bear League has a lot of really committed members, and they are very active in their efforts to protect bears.

 

[PSUAlum]

I’m rooting for the Bear.

Hank the Tank!

 

[PSUAlum]

Does Hank play Guard ?

No, Hank is a NT. They say he is unblockable.

 

[husky]

The common interest development in which my Tahoe place is located utilizes dumpsters that are equipped with sturdy chains to keep the bears out. Owners are pretty good at keeping them chained, when someone forgets, there is invariably a mess the next morning. The bears are indefatigable foragers. It's when a given bear commences breaking into homes that he or she become a serious risk to both humans and himself or herself.

In answer to your question, bears in the Tahoe Basin generally don't hibernate. There is just too much food available to them, largely in the form of garbage. I have not seen a prototypical garbage can up there in years (everyone understands the need for bear-proof trash receptacles). But keeping them securely closed (whether by chains, latches or other means, is an ongoing battle. The other thing that reduces hibernation is when we have winter droughts (i.e., little or no snow, like we are having now). Bears tend to hibernate when the snow accumulates in sufficient quantity to make foraging for food really difficult. That has not been the case in Tahoe since the winter of 2017

Thanks for the answer, LafayetteBear. Makes perfect sense, the measures residents are taking. Seems like a real challenge. Interesting point, too, about the hibernation, or lack of, in the winter. Good luck.

 

[northwoods]

The common interest development in which my Tahoe place is located utilizes dumpsters that are equipped with sturdy chains to keep the bears out. Owners are pretty good at keeping them chained, when someone forgets, there is invariably a mess the next morning. The bears are indefatigable foragers. It's when a given bear commences breaking into homes that he or she become a serious risk to both humans and himself or herself.

In answer to your question, bears in the Tahoe Basin generally don't hibernate. There is just too much food available to them, largely in the form of garbage. I have not seen a prototypical garbage can up there in years (everyone understands the need for bear-proof trash receptacles). But keeping them securely closed (whether by chains, latches or other means, is an ongoing battle. The other thing that reduces hibernation is when we have winter droughts (i.e., little or no snow, like we are having now). Bears tend to hibernate when the snow accumulates in sufficient quantity to make foraging for food really difficult. That has not been the case in Tahoe since the winter of 2017

Good read --- thanks for the information.

 

[bbrown]

Good read --- thanks for the information.

Agree. I learned a lot in that post.