By Toogee Sielsch
Soon we’ll all be returning to our Lake Tahoe homes. No doubt we’ll have a lot to mentally digest as we return.
I want to remind everyone that we must also be cognizant of the wildlife we’ll be returning to. Our urbanized wildlife population, specifically black bears, has been making itself quite comfortable in our absence. Who could blame them? According to the SLTPD, 15 of 17 home intrusion investigations have been attributed to bears. Along with our local bear population we’ll also be experiencing wildland black bears and other wildlife who have fled the flames of the Caldor Fire and may have taken refuge in and among our neighborhoods. Therein lies our challenge as humans. Not only will wildlife numbers be elevated, some of that wildlife will have no experience moving through an urban environment.
Please pay EXTRA attention when driving on any road, and maintain a safe speed.
If you return to your home and it looks broken in, don’t rush in. If a bear IS inside your house the only escape route it knows is the one it entered. Don’t EVER physically block that space of ingress/egress.
If you personally encounter a bear, or any wildlife, give them their space and a way to easily move along away from you. And if within a neighborhood don’t be shy to make them feel uncomfortable in your presence. Yell, wave your arms, toss a pine cone or a small rock their way.
Be sure to secure ALL attractants from access by wildlife. Bird feeders DO fall in that category.
If you encounter injured or incapacitated wildlife, notify the CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife (916) 358-2900), NV Dept of Wildlife (775) 423-3171), or Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (530) 577-2273)
Together as a community we can ensure the safety of both our human inhabitants, AND our wildlife neighbors.
Thank you, and stay Tahoe Strong!
Toogee