Our wildlife is among the most precious assets in the Tahoe Basin…and among the most precarious. Given the intensity of human activities at Tahoe, it’s vital that we all do our share to preserve the local animal population and ensure that wildlife/human encounters do not result in harm to either.
A few simple steps will go a long way to help.
Bears – Over the past several decades, negligent disposal of garbage has attracted local brown bears and acclimated some of them to reliance on human food. Once acclimated, the bear’s fate is sealed. In the words of the Bear League, “a fed bear is a dead bear.” Sadly, a small number of bears have broken into Westshore homes and have had to be destroyed.
We can do our part by:
- utilizing bear proof garbage containers for all refuse
- not leaving food in our cars or on our decks; 3) closing shades on windows where food or a refrigerator is visible before leaving home
- foregoing “bird feeders” and other well-intended but ill-advised artificial supplements to natural habitat food sources
- removing all food from our homes when we are not in residence.
Additional preventative measure can be found at www.savebears.org.
As an update, a number of TSV homes have recently been equipped with electrical fence guards which are very effective in deterring bear break-ins. See the NOLS technology research on YouTube. There are two local contractors who offer installation services. SeeWired For Bear and also Tahoe Bear Busters . The latter also offers 24 hour clean up.
If a bear has broken into your home, please contact Sierra Mountain Management (pam@sierramntmgt.com) to report the incident.
Coyotes – Coyotes are generally nocturnal but occasionally can be seen during the day. They prey on small wild mammals but can also be a danger to house pets. Consequently, cats should be kept indoors and dogs should be leashed when walked.