Police arrest mother bear and three of her cubs behind 21 burglaries in Lake Tahoe
DNA evidence suggests the family of four broke into 21 homes between February 2022 and May 2023, though they may be linked to other home robberies, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement on Friday.
The agency had tracked the female black bear, officially known as 64F, for months before capturing her and her cubs.
Due to the high rate of burglaries, this would usually mean the bear would be euthanized. However, her fame as a celebrity has earned her a reprieve.
“21 burglaries are really quite significant and it’s a very learned behavior and it doesn’t look like it can be rehabilitated,” said Jordan Traverso, spokesman for Fish and Wildlife.
As a result, the mother bear is now being relocated from the area to the Wild Animal Sanctuary near Springfield, Colorado, where she can roam freely with her fellow bears.
“Given the widespread interest in this bear and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is implementing an alternative solution to protect the bear family and the people of the South Lake Tahoe community,” the Fish and Wildlife Authority said in an explanation.
The boys are sent to a rehabilitation center in Sonoma County, where they learn how to live in the wilderness.
“Life in the sanctuary is not ideal,” said Mr. Traverso. “Putting them back into the wild is the best plan.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/lake-tahoe-bears-police-breakins-california-b1098998.html Police arrest mother bear and three of her cubs behind 21 burglaries in Lake Tahoe
