Source: Tahoe Daily Tribune
Nevada’s Department of Wildlife relies on two Karelian Bear Dogs, Banjo and Badger, to help manage the state’s growing black bear population and reduce conflicts with people around Lake Tahoe. Trained to chase and haze bears that have become comfortable around humans, the dogs help restore the animals’ natural fear of people without causing serious harm. They also assist in locating injured bears, removing bears from crawl spaces, and educating residents about preventing conflicts.
Nevada’s black bear population has rebounded from about 30 animals in the 1980s to an estimated 600 to 700 today, leading to more encounters in developed areas. Retired bear biologist Carl Lackey pioneered the state’s nationally recognized bear dog program after discovering that relocated bears often returned to the same locations. Officials now release captured bears near where they were found, emphasizing that human behavior—especially unsecured garbage and other food attractants—is the primary cause of conflicts, not the bears themselves.