Tahoe Mother Bear Fishing in Taylor Creek in Lake Tahoe Basin
One of the side effects of living in such a beautiful location is bears. Black bears are very common in this area and have become habituated to human food and garbage. While the chances of being injured are extremely low, meeting a bear is more likely because they no longer have a strong fear of us. In the next few months, bears in the Sierra Nevada region will be on the prowl for food to prepare for winter and hibernation. Locals need to be on the lookout and watch out.
Earlier this week, a hungry bear in Truckee climbed inside a local resident’s car searching for snacks. The resident left the windows rolled down in his car and a black bear crawled right in. In August, three bears were found foraging in a trash bin at Kings Beach. And, two teenage boys had a terrifying encounter when a bear broke into their home to rummage through their fridge while the boys watched TV on the couch. Last fall, a bear cub was found in a school pantry near Tahoe City, and another bear cub was found in a dumpster in Truckee.
According to the Bear League, bears enter up to 15 homes every day in Tahoe during the summer, usually because of unlocked doors and windows.
Despite these very common occurrences, the group says physical contact is very rare.
Sierra residents should take extra precautions in bear country — that means leaving no food inside vehicles, locking doors and windows and securing garbage cans and trash bins. The Bear League, a community-based nonprofit that aims to educate the human public about their animal neighbors provides tips on how to bear-proof your home. Download them below.
Tips for Bear-Proofing Your Property – Provided by the BEAR League
We can live in harmony with bears. Learning to live with bears is fundamental to the quality of life to be enjoyed by visitors and residents in bear country.
Sources:
“BEAR League – People Living in Harmony with Bears.” BEAR League – People Living in Harmony with Bears, www.savebears.org/#.
Kolo. “Caught on Camera: Bear Raids Home’s Refrigerator as Teen Boys Watch in Fear.” KOLO, www.kolotv.com/content/news/Caught-on-camera-Bear-raids-homes-refrigerator-as-teen-boys-watch-in-fear-556091691.html.
McGinness, Brett. “Searching for Snacks, Bear Climbs into Car in Truckee.” Reno Gazette Journal, Reno Gazette Journal, 19 Sept. 2019, www.rgj.com/story/news/2019/09/19/truckee-wildlife-sierra-nevada-bear-searches-for-food/2375263001/.
