Tahoe-Area Bears Breaking Hibernation Early, Breaking Into Homes In Search Of Food - Sac Bee

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The Lake Tahoe-area bears are up early, and they're ravenous. "They feel the warmth and come out of their dens, but there's no natural food for them yet," said Ann Bryant, executive director of the BEAR League, a Tahoe-area group that educates residents on coexisting with bears.

"The grasses, herbs and roots they like are still covered with snow, and there will be more storms," she said. "So they're looking for garbage, pet food and bird food – those are the biggest lures – and empty cabins with food in them."

In recent weeks, bears have broken into 15 homes, all unoccupied, in West Lake Tahoe and Alpine Meadows, Bryant said, and "there have been bear sightings everywhere." People still putting out suet, seed and nectar for birds because of the snow cover should start bringing it in at night, she said.

The league encourages bear-proof trash containers, saying bears that become accustomed to eating trash are more likely to break into homes. In addition to making sure no food is left outside overnight, people should chase bears away so they don't become "nuisance bears" at risk of being shot by game wardens.

EDIT

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2642608/with-hungry-bears-rising-early.html