Authorities don't want repeat of 'bear selfie' craze

During the 2014 Kokanee salmon run at Taylor Creek, spectators left pathways at the popular U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe to approach bears in search of a selfie photo with a bear. Not only was this dangerous for the human, it was dangerous for the bear and USFS threatened to close the area to the public.

This year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service are asking visitors to keep their distance when encountering bears. They are not encouraging visits to see bears and advise the public to stay away from them, as they are dangerous wild animals.

"The human behavior caught us off guard last year," said Lindsay Gusses, the Taylor Creek site supervisor.

"The bears need to eat, and it is very natural to come to the creek to eat," she said. "The bears shouldn't feel at home in neighborhoods, but they need to feel at home in forests."

"Many people think of Alaska and bears grabbing fish as they jump out of the river when they come to Taylor Creek," said Gusses. Kokanee are not native to Lake Tahoe, so fetching them out of the creek is a behavior the local bears learn from their mothers.

She said she gets all sorts of questions from visitors about bears, and some surprise her. "People will ask me when the bears come out, what time they can see them, and where they'll be."

"We can guarantee they'll usually see fish and wildlife," said Gusses. "Bears are on their own unpredictable schedule."

There are three things that Gusses and her staff will address this fall: human protection, bear protection and resource protection.

She said the people need to be safe and smart. At Taylor Creek, they are being told to stay on trails, respect wildlife and keep a safe distance if bears are present. They should never approach bears for any reason, including a photo opportunity. If visitors continue to disregard directions to stay away from bears at Taylor Creek, the Forest Service may close the area for public safety.

Visitor center staff will be on the Rainbow Trail and any other areas the public goes. The Fall Fish Festival on October 4 and 5 usually brings out about 12,000 people. Last year, the weekend after the festival saw another 8,000 people.

Biologists will be on had along the shore of Taylor Creek to answer questions about the fish, and this is the only area the public is allowed off the trail.

Guests ignore posted instructions and get close to bears to take photos and videos and this won't be tolerated this year. Bears are unpredictable wild animals and may attack if they feel threatened. Wildlife authorities may kill bears if they attack people.

More information on visiting bear country can be found at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Bear or www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Bear_Logic/.