Authorities in California have successfully captured a mother black bear and her three cubs, who were responsible for at least 21 instances of property damage in the Lake Tahoe region since 2022. The DNA evidence confirmed the familial link between the four bears, a large female black bear, and her three little accomplices. According to a statement, the mother bear, known to researchers as 64F, was safely immobilized on Friday, and her cubs are expected to be taken to a rehabilitation facility in California to help them discontinue the negative behaviors they learned from their mother and potentially be returned to the wild.
The bear family was identified as one of three adult bears responsible for 150 incident reports, including property damage, in the lake region straddling Northern California and Nevada. Initially, the public believed that a single, large black bear, nicknamed “Hank the Tank,” was responsible for the break-ins, but authorities later revealed that it was actually three separate bears causing the chaos. The mother bear, 64F, was fitted with a tracking device earlier this year, allowing authorities to monitor her movements and pinpoint her location.
Hank the Tank
As the investigation unfolded, authorities began to notice a pattern of break-ins in the Lake Tahoe region, all linked to the same bear family. The mother bear’s ability to adapt and learn from her environment allowed her to develop a taste for easy food sources, leading her to target homes and businesses in the area. Despite efforts to deter her, the bear continued to return, causing significant damage to property and disrupting the lives of residents.
The capture of the mother bear and her cubs marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to manage the bear population in the Lake Tahoe region. Authorities hope that the rehabilitation of the cubs will help them learn new behaviors and reduce the likelihood of future property damage. The mother bear, on the other hand, will be taken to a wildlife sanctuary in Colorado, where she will be cared for and eventually released back into the wild. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of coexisting with wildlife and the need for effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of bear activity on human communities.
