The Lake Tahoe region is preparing for the arrival of spring, which will see bears emerging from their winter dens in search of food. As the snow melts, these animals will be on the lookout for accessible food sources to replenish their fat reserves depleted during hibernation.
“Bears that have been wintering in their dens will emerge soon and they will be hungry!” states a recent announcement regarding the wildlife in Lake Tahoe. Black bears experience hyperphagia each fall, consuming about 25,000 calories daily to prepare for winter. In spring, with decreased body mass, they instinctively seek fresh greens like grasses and forbs.
The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) advises residents to secure bear attractants. “Please do not let bird feeders attract and feed bears,” they urge, recommending the removal of bird feeders entirely at this time. Residents are also encouraged to manage garbage disposal effectively by digging out bear boxes despite snow piles.
Properly securing trash and other potential food sources is crucial as bears play a significant role in the ecosystem by spreading berry seeds through scat, transporting pollen, cleaning up carcasses after winter, eating insects, and more. If bears access human food or garbage, it can negatively impact these natural processes and their health.
“Bears will unknowingly eat indigestible items from human trash like foil, paper products, plastics, and metal that can damage their internal systems,” warns TIBT. Such ingestion can harm or even kill them while also affecting plant growth due to a lack of native seeds in their scat.
Residents or visitors who encounter unhealthy-looking bears should report concerns to wildlife professionals at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). These agencies possess the necessary resources to assess and care for affected animals.
For those living in or visiting Lake Tahoe Basin—designated as bear country—it is essential to practice good stewardship habits by securing all food-related items. This cooperation helps maintain healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems.
For more information on coexisting responsibly with bears, visit tahoebears.org and bearwise.org.
