Dive Brief:

• The availability of trash and a drought have prompted black bears in Nevada to cut their hibernation short.

• Bears in the Lake Tahoe area have even delayed their natural instincts to sleep during winter months, and have instead hit the local trash scene in both residential and commercial locations.

• Some bears rest for short timeframes and wake up on garbage night to eat their fill of waste, while others follow the sanitation truck on trash collection days. 

Dive Insight:

A city ordinance is still under consideration which would make it mandatory for residents in the area of Incline Village to use bear-proof trash bins. This ongoing issue is perpetuated by the convenience of the trash cans currently in use.