The snow is melting in the Lake Tahoe region, signaling the end of winter and the onset of an active spring for local wildlife. Bears emerging from their winter dens are notably hungry during this time. These black bears went through hyperphagia in the fall, consuming about 25,000 calories daily to build up fat stores for hibernation. As spring arrives, their body mass decreases, and they actively search for food sources to replenish their reserves, often bringing them closer to neighborhoods in their quest for fresh grasses and plants.
The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) advises the public to secure bear attractants to keep bears wild. This involves proper garbage disposal and taking measures to prevent bears from accessing food in vehicles and homes. "Always remove food and trash from vehicles, keep windows closed and ensure doors are locked," the TIBT emphasizes. The national BearWise program suggests Six At-Home BearWise Basics to help residents adapt to living responsibly in bear country.
Allowing bears to access human food and waste negatively impacts Lake Tahoe's ecosystem. Not only do bears facilitate the spread of berry seeds, but they also help clean up carcasses that died during the winter and consume insects, contributing significantly to natural processes. Access to human food can harm bears' health, leading them to consume indigestible items like plastic and metal, which can be fatal and detrimental to their natural roles.
Residents and visitors who encounter an unhealthy, sick, or orphaned bear should report it to the TIBT’s wildlife professionals at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Nevada Department of Wildlife. These agencies are equipped to assess and care for such bears. They emphasize that a healthy Lake Tahoe ecosystem hinges on collective efforts to keep bears healthy and wild.
For those seeking more information on coexisting with bears, resources are available at tahoebears.org and bearwise.org. TIBT highlights that Tahoe is bear country and urges everyone in the region to adopt stewardship habits. "It's up to everyone...to practice good stewardship habits by always securing food, trash, and other scented items," they stress. Such practices are vital to ensure that local bears remain healthy and wild.
About the Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT): This collaborative group aims to minimize human-bear conflicts in the Tahoe Basin through education, outreach, and effective management practices, ensuring peaceful coexistence between humans and bears.