Tahoe bears finding human garbage
By Colin Lygren, KOLO-TV
This year’s dry winter could mean an active season for black bears in higher elevations, according to wildlife officials.
Evidence of what’s to come was seen Thursday morning on Palmer Court in Incline Village.
A mom and two cubs reportedly broke trough a garage door in search of food. This is the second time the bears have broken into that house in eight days. Neighbors say the homeowners repeatedly leave garbage in the their garage.
“If it is up to us, if we move into bear country, we need to take care of this area including the animals,” said neighbor Carolyn Stark.
Years ago, bears did not see humans as a food source. But a series of drought years reduced their food supply. They discovered garbage as a food source.
Nevada Wildlife officials say dry conditions this year and last mean more bears will be in search of food.
“We are sure that we are going to have a pretty good sized nuisance bear year, because of the lack of natural foods. The bears will turn and look towards humans and human garbage as a source of food and that will create conflict,” said Nevada Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy.
In addition to garbage; compost bins, bird feeders, and pet food attract bears.
Residents in bear country are asked to take preventative measures. If bears become too comfortable with humans, they can become dangerous and are often killed by wildlife officials.
Keep those bins locked, Close all garage doors, and drive slow,BEARS do Adventure,Thank you,Put your food away in the campgrounds ,
The people are baiting the bears with their smelly garbage. Hand them a large $$$ fine. That will encourage them to be more responsible.
To ensure you do not have a problem, consider purchasing a screw top lid can (like the “Bearicuda”). You can get them at our local hardware stores like Scotty’s and D.I.Y. These cans are approved as animal resistant and if used correctly, will keep animals out of your garbage. If you have questions or are needing assistance with a neighbor who is allowing animals access to garbage, call Clean Tahoe at 544-4210 for help. http://www.clean-tahoe.org
Fines are imposed after a property has been notified twice of their problem. People can no longer ignore the issue. Fines begin at $50.
I appears that my comment was edited when speaking about the cans that have threaded lids so they cannot come off. Funny!
But people need to report the garbage storage violators for the fines to actually deter people from leaving garbage out for wildlife. Placer County has an ordinance, but I’m not sure what Incline/Washoe have.
Visitors who are renting vacation homes should also be held liable for their poor decisions, as it seems like they get away with “murder” when they come up and leave a ton of garbage out around the bear bins.
And, yes I do report any garbage storage violations that I come across in my neighborhood. Call Placer County’s Dept. of Human Health & Services to report.
Once again, a people problem that turns tragic for our wildlife. These people should be forced to buy a metal bear box and then use it. I have reported these problems to Clean Tahoe and they act promptly and effectively. If we would photograph trash strewn about by bears and other wild animals and then report it, fewer of these incidents would occur.