Tahoe Bear Attack Sends Two 87-Year-Old Residents to Hospital

Wildlife officials are urging caution in the Tahoe region after a black bear broke into a home near Kingsbury Grade in Nevada on Wednesday morning, scratching two 87-year-old residents before wandering back outside.

According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, one of the homeowners encountered the 250- to 300-pound bear around 4:30 a.m. after opening his garage. When he backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him into the house, where it also scratched the other resident before eventually leaving. Both victims were treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.

Officials say the incident highlights the importance of being vigilant during hyperphagia, the pre-hibernation phase when bears are actively seeking thousands of extra calories each day. That heightened activity often brings bears closer to neighborhoods — especially when food sources are easy to find.

Roughly 90% of bear encounters start with unsecured trash, wildlife officials say. Residents in bear country are encouraged to use bear-resistant garbage cans, keep vehicles free of food and scented items, and remove attractants like bird feeders, pet food and dirty barbecues.

Authorities also stress home security: keep doors and windows locked, even screen doors, which offer no protection against a curious bear.

If a bear approaches your home, officials recommend making loud noises — yelling, banging pots and pans or triggering a car alarm — to scare it away. These methods help reinforce that homes and people are off-limits, reducing the chances of future break-ins.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife continues to monitor bear activity in the Stateline and South Lake Tahoe areas.