California bear, cubs are being moved out of South Lake Tahoe after spree of break-ins

Alex Muegge
·2 min read
6

Crime? Unbearable.

A female black bear, known as 64F, and her three male cubs were captured Friday after officials found her responsible for 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in the South Lake Tahoe area between February 2022 and May, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The department said the bear would be transported to the Wild Animal Refuge in Springfield, Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has the authority to approve one placement and is using that authorization for this bear, according to Fish and Wildlife officials.

The cubs, which accompanied their mother in recent home break-ins, will potentially be relocated to the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue in Petaluma in hopes they can discontinue the negative behaviors and be returned to the wild, authorities said.

One of the cubs is believed to have suffered serious injuries from a vehicle collision in the past week but is ambulatory, according to wildlife authorities.

Relocation is not typically an option for wildlife due to concerns of conflict behavior continuing in a different community, authorities said. Fish and Wildlife officials said there is widespread interest in this particular female bear, so there are efforts to safeguard it.

A female bear, identified as 64F, seen here at a residence in an undated photo was captured along with her three cubs on August 4, 2023. Biologists said she is responsible for at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2022.
A female bear, identified as 64F, seen here at a residence in an undated photo was captured along with her three cubs on August 4, 2023. Biologists said she is responsible for at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2022.
Hank the Tank, a 500-pound black bear, has been credited with damaging a number of homes in South Lake Tahoe in 2022. Another bear was captured this week and is being sent to Colorado.
Hank the Tank, a 500-pound black bear, has been credited with damaging a number of homes in South Lake Tahoe in 2022. Another bear was captured this week and is being sent to Colorado.

64F is one of multiple bears identified by the public last year as Hank the Tank, a 500-pound black bear accused last year of burglarizing three dozen South Lake Tahoe homes. Hank was vindicated by state wildlife officials thanks to DNA evidence.

The state wildlife officials said that 64F has been monitored closely since 2022. In March, officials said they immobilized the bear, collected DNA evidence, attached an ear tag and placed a satellite-tracking collar on her — which she was able to shed in May. Staff also chipped the cubs for future identification, authorities said.

The department said relocation and placement of bears is allowed in limited circumstances as an alternative to lethal actions.