Bear Trap Pits Neighbor Against Neighbor
From KOLO 8 Weather Now... The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Wind Advisory. A wind advisory will be in effect from 8 AM until 11 PM on Thursday.
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 8:47 AM Feb 22, 2012
Bear Trap Pits Neighbor Against Neighbor
Reno
A female bear and her two cubs are at the center of a controversy in Incline Village. Neighbors say the bear has damaged the outside of a home and broken into two cars. Nevada’s Departmetn of Wildlife is trying to trap her---to the great objection of bear advocates.
Posted: 5:15 PM Feb 21, 2012
Reporter: Terri Russell
Email Address: terri.russell@kolotv.com
width:320 and height: 240 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159
Font Size:

INCLINE VILLAGE, NV - Head up Saddlehorn Drive in Incline Village, and you can't help but see the bear crossings, bear statues, and bear decorations in the area.

But it's a particular female bear and her two cubs that are getting the most attention these days.

And the reason for a bear trap.

“It’s going to be killed and there are ways around that,” says Chris Bryan and Incline Village Resident.

Bryan and other bear advocates fear the worst for the bear that reportedly broke into 2 cars and damaged the side of a home in the last month.

Some have gone as far as putting ammonia by the trap to discourage the bear from coming near.

“We are being hindered in that effort by people who believe they are doing the right thing, and when in fact, the potential for a much more dire problem if they continue in that activity,” says Chris Healy from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The Bear League, another advocacy group for bears, says it is not responsible for the ammonia or any actions someone might take to prevent the bear's capture.

One woman whose car was broken into has filed a report with Washoe County Sheriff's Office says she's received threatening phone calls.

So heated the controversy another resident who made a complaint says he's more afraid of humans, than bears.


Latest Comments

Posted by: PJ on Mar 12, 2012 at 03:02 PM

Wrong. Bears are relocated. When they are captured, they are tagged, DNA from the bear is taken for a study. The bear is then taken out to a remote area and chased off using noise, rubber bullets, and dogs. If a bear becomes a "problem bear", one that cannot be stopped from coming into town looking for food, then it may need to be put down, especially if it is one that shows zero fear. A bear will tear open a car to get to food left in it, so I wonder about the damaged cars, what was left inside them to attract the bear? People in bear country need to secure their garbage, so it doesn't smell and look like a picnic for a bear, same with cars, open garages, ect. You need to take the same caution with bears, as you do with car thieves. Lock it up. BUT, NEVADA DOES TRY TO RELOCATE BEARS.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 23, 2012 at 01:01 PM

Why did YOU move into coyote country and chase off the coyotes? Why do you chase the native ground squirrels out of your garden? Hmmm? Bears, squirrels, what's the difference?
Posted by: You think on Feb 23, 2012 at 08:25 AM

I was speaking in general. However I do believe a bear recently was relocated in the pinion range.
KOLO Online Poll
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.