In the picturesque community of Tahoe Keys, the presence of bears has become a familiar yet contentious issue. With incidents of bears venturing into human spaces on the rise, a particular black bear named Hope, along with her cub Bounce, has become the focus of both controversy and conservation efforts.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has decided to take firm action against Hope, who has repeatedly entered homes and caused significant property damage. The department’s plan is to capture and euthanize her, citing the ongoing threat to the community. Hope’s cub, Bounce, would be rescued and rehabilitated. This decision, however, has sparked a heated debate among residents and wildlife advocates who argue for a different approach.
On a recent afternoon, a gathering took place in a backyard in Tahoe Keys, where a black bear and her cub perched in a tree. Although not Hope and Bounce, this sight served as a stark reminder of the frequent encounters between humans and bears in the area.
Kathi Zollinger, a volunteer with the BEAR League—a nonprofit dedicated to promoting coexistence with bears—was on the scene. Her task involves using non-lethal methods to scare bears away, such as paintball guns and loud noises. “We’re using paintball guns and yelling at them and doing other things to haze them,” Zollinger explained. “The goal isn’t to harm them, just to get them back into the forest.”
Maria Palma
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KUNR Public Radio
Peter Tira from the CDFW noted that Hope has been identified as a repeat offender, having caused over a dozen break-ins just this summer, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in damages. Tira emphasized that bears are naturally attracted to calorie-rich human food, making them frequent visitors in developing areas.
Long-time resident Brady Hodge recalls his own encounter with a bear and praises the prompt response from the BEAR League. He insists that the problem lies not with the bears but with people’s failure to secure their homes and garbage. “The people that don’t like the bears probably shouldn’t be here,” he contends, opposing the decision to euthanize Hope.
“I’m totally against it,” Hodge expressed. “They’re beautiful animals, and they won’t hurt you if you respect them.”
Maria Palma
/
KUNR Public Radio
As the day drew to a close, Zollinger watched as the bears descended from the tree and disappeared into the brush. Her day’s work concluded, but the ongoing challenge of fostering harmony between humans and wildlife in Tahoe remains.
