Since last year's devastating Caldor Fire in the Lake Tahoe region, residents of the area have been dealing with an uptick in break-ins, looting, and property damage.
But the perpetrators haven’t been human – they've been bears. "We've been dealing with more bears than looters or thieves," said Sgt. Nick Carlquist with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. According to Carlquist, breaking in for bears is simple, all they have to do is "lean against a door, and it will pop open."
Now, a particularly persistent, and large, member of the species has been wreaking so much havoc in the area, he's earned himself a nickname – "Hank the Tank."
Weighing in at about 500 lbs, the black bear has pillaged at least 30 homes looking for food in South Lake Tahoe. In his most recent break-in, the residents of the home were still inside, alarming community groups and law enforcement in the area.
"The bear should not be left on the streets," said Ann Bryant, Executive Director of the Bear Education Aversion Response (BEAR) League, in an interview with KCBS Radio's Kris Ankarlo and Megan Goldsby on Monday.
"A great big, 500 or 600 lb bear in a house with a bunch of people is not going to end well for somebody," she said. The league wants Hank off the streets, but they don't want the animal to get euthanized, which they are alleging that the Department of Fish and Wildlife intends to do.
"We would like to get him a sanctuary home," said Bryant, and several candidates have already stepped forward, she added.
The bear is not aggressive, but it wouldn't work trying to push him back into the wild, he would simply keep trying to return home, "or die trying," said Bryant.
The best-case scenario would be for Hank to be taken to an accredited sanctuary, where "he could live his life in peace and people would feed him all day long – bring him snacks and treats and whatever he wants," she said.
While the fire and COVID-19 created an environment that emboldened other bears, Hank was always a large presence in the area. "Hank has always lived in the community," said Bryant. "He realized a while ago that there are refrigerators in every kitchen and they’re packed with food."
Hank's feeding system is partly why he reached such a large size, she said.
In the meantime, while decisions are being made about Hank's future, residents can protect their homes better with electric mats, reinforced doors, and make sure trash is properly disposed of.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife did not respond to KCBS Radio's request for comment at the time of publication.