<p>In the Lake Tahoe region of California, a well-known and “extremely food-habituated” 500lb female black bear named "Hank the Tank" has been successfully captured by wildlife authorities after more than a year of evading them. This incident follows a wildlife equivalent of an All Points Bulletin (APB) issued by the state's wildlife officials.&nbsp;An All Points Bulletin (APB) is a widely circulated alert used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to request assistance in locating a suspect, missing person, or a vehicle of interest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Initially, the bear was incorrectly identified as a male, but subsequently confirmed as female. Hank has been found to be causing over 21 home break-ins and instances of property damage in the Lake Tahoe area since 2022. In all these cases, the animal was matched by DNA.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>On Friday morning, she was immobilised using a tranquilizer dart and taken into custody by state officials. Hank is now scheduled to be relocated to a sanctuary in southern Colorado to ensure the safety of both the bear and the South Lake Tahoe community.</p>

<h2><strong>Efforts to safeguard community</strong></h2>

<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released a statement saying that due to the bear's notoriety and the potential risks it posed, they opted for this alternative solution.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>“Given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is employing an alternative solution to safeguard the bear family as well as the people in the South Lake Tahoe community,” the state officials said in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Cubs' fate&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Hank, officially identified as bear 64F, may face the loss of custody of her three cubs. These cubs could be transferred to a facility in Sonoma County, California, with the hope of ending their negative behaviors.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | China and Philippines spar in South China sea</strong></p>

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<p>However, it has been clarified that there are other bears involved in the property rampages attributed to "Hank the Tank." The authorities have come to understand that there are multiple bears responsible for the incidents, and not just 64F. The other bears, referred to as "other Hanks," have not posed problems to the community in the current year.</p>

<h2><strong>Community complaints</strong></h2>

<p>Trackers from CDFW suspect that two other bears are also contributing to the series of property rampages in the area. Last year alone, local residents filed at least 102 complaints related to bear-induced incidents.</p>

<p>Prior to her capture, various tactics were employed to deter the troublesome bear, including sirens, de-activated tasers, and beanbag rounds. The bear's behavior was described as displaying a lack of fear towards humans, raising concerns about potential danger.</p>

<h2><strong>Culinary preferences of 'Hank the Tank'</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Ann Bryant, executive director of Bear League, a wildlife rescue service in California, highlighted that the bear's significant weight gain could not be attributed solely to a natural diet of berries and grubs. It became reportedly evident that 64F had developed a taste for human food, leading to her dietary habits being responsible for her weight gain.</p>

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In the Lake Tahoe region of California, a well-known and “extremely food-habituated” 500lb female black bear named "Hank the Tank" has been successfully captured by wildlife authorities after more than a year of evading them.

In the Lake Tahoe region of California, a well-known and “extremely food-habituated” 500lb female black bear named "Hank the Tank" has been successfully captured by wildlife authorities after more than a year of evading them. This incident follows a wildlife equivalent of an All Points Bulletin (APB) issued by the state's wildlife officials. An All Points Bulletin (APB) is a widely circulated alert used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to request assistance in locating a suspect, missing person, or a vehicle of interest. Initially, the bear was incorrectly identified as a male, but subsequently confirmed as female. Hank has been found to be causing over 21 home break-ins and instances of property damage in the Lake Tahoe area since 2022. In all these cases, the animal was matched by DNA. Also Read | New York judge dismisses Donald Trump’s counter defamation lawsuit against Caroll On Friday morning, she was immobilised using a tranquilizer dart and taken into custody by state officials. Hank is now scheduled to be relocated to a sanctuary in southern Colorado to ensure the safety of both the bear and the South Lake Tahoe community. Efforts to safeguard community The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released a statement saying that due to the bear's notoriety and the potential risks it posed, they opted for this alternative solution. Also Read | WHO issues alert over ‘contaminated’ Indian-made cough syrup sold in Iraq “Given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is employing an alternative solution to safeguard the bear family as well as the people in the South Lake Tahoe community,” the state officials said in a statement. Cubs' fate Hank, officially identified as bear 64F, may face the loss of custody of her three cubs. These cubs could be transferred to a facility in Sonoma County, California, with the hope of ending their negative behaviors. Watch | China and Philippines spar in South China sea × However, it has been clarified that there are other bears involved in the property rampages attributed to "Hank the Tank." The authorities have come to understand that there are multiple bears responsible for the incidents, and not just 64F. The other bears, referred to as "other Hanks," have not posed problems to the community in the current year. Community complaints Trackers from CDFW suspect that two other bears are also contributing to the series of property rampages in the area. Last year alone, local residents filed at least 102 complaints related to bear-induced incidents. Prior to her capture, various tactics were employed to deter the troublesome bear, including sirens, de-activated tasers, and beanbag rounds. The bear's behavior was described as displaying a lack of fear towards humans, raising concerns about potential danger. Culinary preferences of 'Hank the Tank' Ann Bryant, executive director of Bear League, a wildlife rescue service in California, highlighted that the bear's significant weight gain could not be attributed solely to a natural diet of berries and grubs. It became reportedly evident that 64F had developed a taste for human food, leading to her dietary habits being responsible for her weight gain. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Notorious 'Hank the Tank' bear captured in California's Lake Tahoe region

<p>California police is looking for a 500-pound notorious bear known by residents as 'Hank the Tank' for breaking into homes.</p>

<p>According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), it has caused extensive damage at 33 properties and forcefully entered at least 28 homes. The giant bear has eluded capture for more than seven months.</p>

<p>"The incidents primarily occurred during the summer and fall of 2021, when the bear was in hyperphagia, adding calories to survive the winter," said wildlife department spokesperson Peter Tira.</p>

<p>"It's learned to use its size and strength to force its way into homes. It'll barge through garage doors, it'll barge through front doors. It'll go through windows."</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/caldor-fire-as-residents-flee-bears-move-in-on-south-lake-tahoe-411942">Also read |&nbsp;Caldor fire: As residents flee, bears move in on South Lake Tahoe</a></strong></p>

<p>The bear is responsible for more than 150 incident reports in the region straddling Northern California and Nevada.</p>

<p>The bear smashed a window and squeezed into the house on Catalina Drive while the residents were at home. Police responded and banged on the outside of the house until Hank exited out the back door and disappeared into the woods.</p>

<p>Also known as Jake or Yogi or simply Big Guy, the bear is what Tira described as a “severely food habituated bear” that has “lost all fear of people” and thinks of them as a food source.</p>

<p>A homeowners association agreed during a meeting last week to allow state wildlife personnel to capture the bear. Previous trapping efforts, which are generally more successful in wooded settings, have proven futile in residential areas where the bear has become acclimated.</p>

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<p>"He's not subsisting on a diet of ants and berries like a lot of wild bears do," Tira said.</p>

<p>"In Tahoe there's year-round access to high caloric food - whether we're talking about leftover pizza or ice cream or just trash," he continues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's easier to find that kind of food than to work for hours to remove grubs from a dead log."</p>

<p>If Hank is captured, officials said the bear could be relocated to accredited facilities such as zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, Tira said.</p>

<p>“You relocate it to the wilderness, and they starve because they’re not used to hunting for food,” Tira said.</p>

<p>Killing the bear is hopefully a last resort, said Joby Cefalu, a board member with the homeowners association.</p>

<p>“Nobody on our board took lightly the situation of depredation,” Cefalu told the Los Angeles Times. “We’re meant to coexist. Unfortunately, this is a human problem.”<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


California police is looking for a 500-pound notorious bear known by residents as 'Hank the Tank' for breaking into homes. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), it has caused extensive damage at 33 properties and forcefully entered at least 28 homes.

California police is looking for a 500-pound notorious bear known by residents as 'Hank the Tank' for breaking into homes. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), it has caused extensive damage at 33 properties and forcefully entered at least 28 homes. The giant bear has eluded capture for more than seven months. "The incidents primarily occurred during the summer and fall of 2021, when the bear was in hyperphagia, adding calories to survive the winter," said wildlife department spokesperson Peter Tira. "It's learned to use its size and strength to force its way into homes. It'll barge through garage doors, it'll barge through front doors. It'll go through windows." Also read | Caldor fire: As residents flee, bears move in on South Lake Tahoe The bear is responsible for more than 150 incident reports in the region straddling Northern California and Nevada. The bear smashed a window and squeezed into the house on Catalina Drive while the residents were at home. Police responded and banged on the outside of the house until Hank exited out the back door and disappeared into the woods. Also known as Jake or Yogi or simply Big Guy, the bear is what Tira described as a “severely food habituated bear” that has “lost all fear of people” and thinks of them as a food source. A homeowners association agreed during a meeting last week to allow state wildlife personnel to capture the bear. Previous trapping efforts, which are generally more successful in wooded settings, have proven futile in residential areas where the bear has become acclimated. Also read | Man takes aim at bear, accidentally shoots dead brother, then kills himself "He's not subsisting on a diet of ants and berries like a lot of wild bears do," Tira said. "In Tahoe there's year-round access to high caloric food - whether we're talking about leftover pizza or ice cream or just trash," he continues. "It's easier to find that kind of food than to work for hours to remove grubs from a dead log." If Hank is captured, officials said the bear could be relocated to accredited facilities such as zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, Tira said. “You relocate it to the wilderness, and they starve because they’re not used to hunting for food,” Tira said. Killing the bear is hopefully a last resort, said Joby Cefalu, a board member with the homeowners association. “Nobody on our board took lightly the situation of depredation,” Cefalu told the Los Angeles Times. “We’re meant to coexist. Unfortunately, this is a human problem.” (With inputs from agencies)

California police is looking for this 500-pound notorious bear for breaking into homes

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Notorious 'Hank the Tank' bear captured in California's Lake Tahoe region

California police is looking for this 500-pound notorious bear for breaking into homes