CDFW Captures South Lake Tahoe Conflict Bear and Her Three Cubs
Bears Destined for Wildlife Sanctuary in Colorado and Rehabilitation Facility in Sonoma County
Wildlife biologists for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today securely paralyzed a big female dispute bear accountable for a minimum of 21 DNA-confirmed home burglaries and substantial property damage in the South Lake Tahoe location considering that 2022. Her 3 cubs were likewise recorded in the effort.
Pending an effective veterinary check, CDFW has actually protected approval from the State of Colorado to carry the female black bear, referred to as 64F, and location it with The Wild Animal Sanctuary near Springfield, Colorado, which has actually consented to take care of it in its extensive centers. This big black bear is among several bears determined by the public in 2015 as “Hank the Tank” based upon visual observations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has the authority to authorize just one such positioning and is utilizing that permission for this bear. Relocation is not generally a choice for dispute animals over issue that moving an animal will transfer the dispute habits to a various neighborhood. However, provided the extensive interest in this bear, and the substantial threat of a major occurrence including the bear, CDFW is using an alternative option to secure the bear family in addition to individuals in the South Lake Tahoe neighborhood.
The plant’s 3 young cubs, which have actually accompanied the bear on recent home burglaries, will possibly be transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, a CDFW-permitted wildlife rehab center in Petaluma in hopes they can cease the negative habits they gained from the plant and can be gone back to the wild. All 3 cubs were provided a health evaluation in the field prior to transfer and will receive extra assessment at the center. One of the cubs is thought to have actually suffered severe injuries from a vehicle strike previously this month, however is still mobile. The hurt cub will be provided an extensive veterinary assessment.
Bear 64F has actually been kept an eye on carefully by CDFW considering that 2022. In March of 2023, she was found denning under a residence in South Lake Tahoe together with her 3 male cubs of the year. Staff from CDFW and the Nevada Department of Wildlife paralyzed the bear, gathered DNA proof, connected an ear tag and attached a satellite tracking collar to the bear. Staff likewise implanted Passive Integrated Transponders, referred to as PIT tags, into the cubs for future recognition. The PIT tags include a microchip comparable to what’s implanted into animal dogs and cats for recognition.
Bear 64F shed the satellite tracking collar last May. The bear’s DNA, nevertheless, has actually been verified at 21 home intrusions in the South Lake Tahoe location in between February 2022 and May 2023 with the bear believed in extra burglaries and property damage.
CDFW’s updated Black Bear Policy (PDF), launched in February 2022, permits the positioning and moving of dispute bears in restricted situations when other management alternatives have actually been tired and as an option to deadly actions.
CDFW file image of South Lake Tahoe dispute bear 64F.
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Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352
