Last week, a black bear entered the home of an elderly couple in Stateline, Nevada, near South Lake Tahoe, because it was looking for food. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) says both 87-year-old residents sustained “minor hand injuries” from the bear.
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“According to NDOW game wardens, a male homeowner entered his garage at approximately 4:30 a.m. and unexpectedly encountered a bear that had been searching for food,” the department states in a press release. “As he backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him into the house. At one point, before leaving the home, the bear also scratched the 87-year-old female homeowner. The bear ultimately exited the home. Both individuals were treated by medical personnel and released from the hospital.”
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Shawn Espinosa, game division administrator for NDOW, said: “Bears are still experiencing hyperphagia, or a phase where they build up as many calories as possible before going into their dens for winter. To ensure bears make their ways to their dens, it is important that residents secure attractants.”
NDOW reminds residents living in bear country to take the following precautions to prevent similar situations:
- Secure your garbage.
- Remove attractants from your yard (bird feeders, bird seed, pet food, etc.)
- Clean dirty barbecues after use.
- Remove food, trash, and other scented items from vehicles.
- Secure doors and windows when you are not home.
- Install electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops.
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