The 500-pound black bear has damaged more than 30 properties around Lake Tahoe, and last week broke into yet another home in an endless quest for a quick meal.
Known by residents as Hank the Tank, the giant bear has eluded capture for more than seven months, according to Peter Tira, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“What’s problematic about this bear is how large it is,” Tira told SF Gate on Sunday. “It’s learned to use that size and strength to break into a number of occupied residences, bursting through the garage door or front door. It’s pretty frightening."
The bear is responsible for more than 150 incident reports in the region straddling Northern California and Nevada. A Friday break-in at a residence in the Tahoe Keys neighborhood is the latest, according to CBS Sacramento.
The bear smashed a window and squeezed into the house on Catalina Drive while the residents were at home. Police responded and banged on the outside of the house until Hank exited out the back door and disappeared into the woods.
Also known as Jake or Yogi or simply Big Guy, the bear is what Tira described as a “severely food habituated bear" that has “lost all fear of people” and thinks of them as a food source.
A homeowners association agreed during a meeting last week to allow state wildlife personnel to capture the bear. Previous trapping efforts, which are generally more successful in wooded settings, have proven futile in residential areas where the bear has become acclimated, SF Gate reported.
After the break-in Friday, officials collected DNA evidence to make an accurate match if they capture the bear. If Hank is captured, officials said the bear could be relocated to accredited facilities such as zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, Tira said.
“You relocate it to the wilderness, and they starve because they’re not used to hunting for food," Tira said.
Killing the bear is hopefully a last resort, said Joby Cefalu, a board member with the homeowners association.
“Nobody on our board took lightly the situation of depredation,” Cefalu told the Los Angeles Times. "We’re meant to coexist. Unfortunately, this is a human problem.”
Ron Carson, CEO and Founder of Carson Wealth, sits down with Cheddar's Hena Doba to share how he achieved 'work-life harmony' by investing time and money into businesses he's passionate about.
Jan Lee, co-founder of Neighbors United Below Canal, joins Cheddar News to discuss how the new mega jail in NYC's Chinatown will negatively impact the community.
Melissa Eamer, founder and CEO of aging wellness brand Modern Age, joins Cheddar News to discuss the recent launch of its digital experience and flagship in New York City.
Danny Trejo is teaming up with Tostitos the once again for Cinco de Mayo. The actor and restaurateur is starring in the tortilla chip brand's commercial with Sofia Reyes to inspire others on how to celebrate the holiday. The "Machete" star joined Cheddar News to talk about the campaign. "I only do things I like, and I like Tostitos," he said. "You know, I love their Scoops. They don't break in the guacamole."
Award-winning chef and television host, Aarón Sánchez is hosting a new Spanish language cooking competition series El Sabor de Aarón. For the first time ever and entirely in Spanish, Aarón has recruited 20 professional chefs who will attempt to concoct the quintessential Hispanic "sabor" across every type of Hispanic cuisine. Chef Sánchez joined Cheddar News to talk about the new series dropping on Hogar de HGTV.
Every April 27th, we celebrate the treat that could be sweet but also be salty and has an array of dips to choose from. This National Pretzel Day, Philip Given, co-founder of The Pretzel Company, joined News Wrap's Food Stand to tell us all about the knotty treats.
After Thai rapper Milli took the Coachella stage to perform her hit single 'Mango Sticky Rice,' while simultaneously eating the dish, she unknowingly created the latest food craze. Eve Mokkarat, co-founder, and Bia Nattapatch, manager of NYC Thai restaurant Soothr, joined News Wrap's Food Stand to break down the dish!
New York City’s geography makes it particularly at risk to the impacts of climate change - like rising seas and subsequent flooding. The city has already experienced the effects of increasingly severe weather. In response, the city is building a plan to protect itself, from flood walls, to levees, to redesigning its coast.
Daisy Pitkin, author of "On The Line: A Story of Class, Solidarity, and Two Women's Epic Fight to Build a Union," joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss her work as a union organizer at Workers United, helping Starbucks workers to organize. Pitkin expressed her enthusiasm for the recent labor push across the country, and explained how the movement can gain even more momentum in the future.
