And here’s Hank’s penchant for breaking into houses, which was reported by the broadcaster KRNV in Reno, Nevada, didn’t slow down in the winter, leading state wildlife officials to believe it never hibernated, Mr. Thira said. Bears sometimes don’t hibernate if they have year-round access to food, he says.
Hank didn’t fall into the trap set for him this month, so authorities are considering a new approach, with euthanasia being their “last option,” Mr. Thira said.
If officials move the bear elsewhere, it could just move the problem, he said, adding that all the shelters are too full to take Hank.
And this is a point of contention between the California wildlife authorities and the people of the Tahoe Keys. According to Ms. Bryant, many residents want Hank to be taken to an orphanage rather than euthanized.
Black bears have roamed the area for generations. They coexisted with residents who learned leave no food and seal your trash in bear-proof containers. However, bears have occasionally caused trouble in the area. In 2007, The New York Times described the animals as “household pests“.
The situation with bears has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, with some people moving to the area to work remotely. Not all of the new residents were “as knowledgeable about bears as they should have been,” Mr. Thir said. And after the people fled South Lake Tahoe during the fire of Kaldor in SeptemberBears have taken the place of humans, he said, walking the streets and checking houses.
While the neighbors don’t want Hank to destroy their homes, Ms Bryant said they want him to be treated with respect. State officials removed a bear trap in the area after someone spray-painted it. “The Bear Killer” in topic.