Hank the Tank (also known as Henrietta[1]) is a five-hundred pound female American black bear that lived in Tahoe Keys, California before being captured and relocated to Colorado.[2] Hank, known to wildlife officials as Bear 64F, became notable for press coverage of her "ransacking" the Lake Tahoe community, breaking into houses in search of food and causing property damage. Overall, she broke into over 20 homes. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said that Hank had lost her fear of people,[2][3][4][5] and it was thought that the year-round availability of food meant that Hank had not been hibernating, as is also the case for around twenty percent of the bears in the area.[6]

At one point, Hank stood accused of breaking into thirty houses, but DNA evidence later showed that the break-ins also included the work of at least two other bears.[7][8][9]

In February 2022, there was some talk of euthanizing Hank, though the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said that would only be a last resort. When Fish and Wildlife discovered that Hank was not solely responsible for the home invasions in Tahoe Keys, the department embarked on a program of tagging and DNA analysis on the region's bears. No bears would be killed during this process, the department promised.[7][9]

Three wildlife sanctuaries offered a home to Hank while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was conducting its 2022 search for the bear. A wildlife advocacy group, the BEAR League, promised to pay all expenses involved in relocating the bear. Ann Bryant, BEAR's executive director, said that locals do not want the bear killed. "Long-time residents of Lake Tahoe know how to live in harmony with bears, who all have names," Bryant said. Bryant blames Hank's invasive behavior on an influx of new homeowners who bought into Lake Tahoe because of the work at home movement, driven by COVID-19. "These newcomers do not secure their garbage, leave food in their cars, and leave doors and windows open," she said.[6]

On August 7, 2023, Hank and her three cubs were captured by Californian wildlife officers after being on the run for more than a year.[10] Hank was transported to the Wild Animal Sanctuary,[1] near Springfield, Colorado.[11] The CDFW has labelled Hank a "conflict bear" and stated that such bears are usually euthanized. Hank was relocated because of the "community interest" and "popularity" of the bear. Hank's cubs, however, were relocated to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue in hopes they can unlearn the habit of breaking into human homes. Rescuers hope the cubs can be released into the wild after rehabilitation.[12] [13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Controversial Tahoe bear formerly known as "Hank the Tank" finds new home in Colorado". CBS. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 Lukpat, Alyssa (20 February 2022). "Hank the Tank, a 500-Pound Bear, Ransacks a California Community". New York Times. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Smart, Sarah (23 February 2022). "'Hank the Tank,' a 500-pound bear, has broken into two more California homes, police say". CNN. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Yang, Maya (21 February 2022). "'Hank the tank': California officials seek to trap 500lb bear behind break-ins". Guardian. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Pietsch, Bryan (22 February 2022). "A 500-pound bear is terrorizing Lake Tahoe". Washington Post. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Hank the Tank's Real Story". AnimalRightsChannel.com. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  7. 1 2 Martinez, Christian (25 February 2022). "A Tahoe bear faced euthanasia after a spate of break-ins. DNA evidence spared him". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "It's a bear battalion! Hank the Tank turns out to be 3 bears". Associated Press. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  9. 1 2 Victor, Daniel (25 February 2022). "DNA Evidence Reveals Hank the Tank Isn't One Bear, but Several". New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "'Hank the Tank' bear blamed for break-ins is finally captured". The Independent. 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  11. ↑ "Black Bear Henrietta, formerly known as Hank the Tank, is exploring her new home at The Wild Animal Refuge near Springfield, CO". X (formerly Twitter). The Wild Animal Sanctuary. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Infamous Lake Tahoe Bear 'Hank The Tank' Finally Captured". Yahoo Life. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Thieving California bear, 'Hank the Tank' is actually female, and now she has a new home". USA Today. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
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